US President
Donald Trump was elected the 47th President of the United States on Wednesday, marking a stunning political comeback four years after losing the White House.
His victory ushers in a new era of American leadership that is expected to challenge both democratic institutions at home and international relations abroad. This win signifies a major shift in U.S. politics as Trump, now 78, returns to power, having successfully defeated Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.
Following Trump’s victory speech earlier in the day, Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, congratulated him on his re-election.
In a message posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, PM Shehbaz acknowledged Trump as the president-elect and congratulated him on his “historic victory for a second term.”
The prime minister expressed his eagerness to work closely with Trump’s administration to enhance and expand the longstanding partnership between Pakistan and the United States.
In his message, Shehbaz Sharif wrote, “I look forward to working closely with the incoming administration to further strengthen and broaden the Pakistan-US partnership @realDonaldTrump.”
This sentiment was echoed by other Pakistani political figures, notably Omar Ayub Khan, the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and a senior member of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.
Ayub extended his congratulations to both Trump and his vice president-elect, JD Vance, expressing hope for improved relations between the people of Pakistan and the United States.
The PTI also used its official X handle to extend congratulations to Trump and Vance, stating that the U.S. election reflected the will of the people and their “mandate has been respected.” The party’s message further compared the U.S. election to Pakistan’s political situation, remarking that the public mandate in Pakistan was “blatantly stolen,” a veiled reference to PTI’s claims of election rigging in Pakistan.
These felicitations come at a delicate time for PTI, as its founder, Imran Khan, remains imprisoned after being convicted in multiple cases. The PTI has long claimed that foreign powers should intervene on Khan’s behalf to secure his release and facilitate his safe passage abroad. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has previously accused the PTI of lobbying foreign governments for this purpose.
The PTI’s enthusiasm for Trump’s return to the White House is likely due to the friendly relations Imran Khan shared with the Trump administration during his time as Pakistan’s prime minister. PTI sees Trump’s re-election as a potential advantage for their party and its leader.
Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), also extended his congratulations to Trump and his team, praising their “historic comeback” and “resounding victory.”
Bilawal characterized Trump’s mandate as “anti-war,” expressing hope that the new administration would prioritize global peace and work to end the cycle of ongoing international conflicts.
The messages from Pakistan’s political leaders highlight the significance of Trump’s return to power and the potential implications for Pakistan-U.S. relations in the coming years.
