LAHORE: President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday telephoned Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief and prime minister-elect Nawaz Sharif, felicitating him on winning the historic May 11 polls, DawnNews reported.

He also felicitated the former two-time prime minister on achieving majority of the seats in the parliament and expressed his hope that Nawaz would be able to strengthen the democratic process during his political tenure.

President Zardari, on the occasion, hoped that Sharif will attend the dinner in honour of prime minister of China later this week.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is set to visit Pakistan on Tuesday. He is expected to sign on some key agreements between the two countries during his visit.

The president also telephoned JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and ANP president Asfandyar Wali Khan.

Spokesperson to the president Senator Farhatullah Babar said the president congratulated the leaders and their respective parties on participation in elections paving way for the first democratic transition in the country.

The spokesperson quoted the president as saying that the elections followed by smooth transfer of power in the coming days will be remembered as a watershed mark in our political evolution and a triumph of the democratic ethos of the people and the political parties. – APP/DawnNews

Opinion

Editorial

Barren reforms
17 Jul, 2026

Barren reforms

PRIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s assertion that agriculture and livestock hold the key to Pakistan’s quick...
Dumbing down?
17 Jul, 2026

Dumbing down?

THE awesome power of generative AI has raised concerns in academic and scientific circles about the impact the...
Eyeing the Margallas
17 Jul, 2026

Eyeing the Margallas

AS Pakistan battles a variety of climate crises, state institutions must do all possible to defend critical...
AJK violence
Updated 16 Jul, 2026

AJK violence

Violent confrontations have claimed some 30 lives of both security personnel and protesters since last month.
Deadly lapses
16 Jul, 2026

Deadly lapses

PAKISTAN has investigated too many HIV outbreaks over the past decade to still be surprised by the causes. The ...
Doomed tax initiative
16 Jul, 2026

Doomed tax initiative

THE FBR’s draft simplified tax regime for small shopkeepers is the latest in a long line of attempts to persuade...