Pakistan congratulates Donald Trump for winning 'second term' as US president

• PM looks forward to "working closely" with incoming administration.
• Ayub hopeful Trump's team will foster better ties with Pakistani people.
• Bilawal expresses hope that new administration will prioritise peace.
  

Donald Trump was elected 47th US president on Wednesday, capping a remarkable comeback four years after he was voted out of the White House and ushering in a new American leadership likely to test democratic institutions at home and relations abroad.

Following Trump's victory speech to his supporters earlier today, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated him on his return to the White House after defeating Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.

In his congratulatory message posted on X, formerly Twitter, the premier mentioned Trump as president-elect extending congratulations on his "historic victory for a second term".

"I look forward to working closely with the incoming Administration to further strengthen and broaden the Pakistan-US partnership @realDonaldTrump," wrote PM Shehbaz in his post.

Meanwhile, Omar Ayub Khan — the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmaker — also extended congratulations to Trump and his VP-elect JD Vance on winning the polls.

"It is hoped that this team will foster better relations between the people of Pakistan and the people of the United States of America," he wrote in a post on X.

The PTI also took to its official X handle to congratulate the Republican candidate and his VP-elect, stating that the people of the United States have spoken and their "mandate has been respected".

It added that it is "a stark contrast to Pakistan, where the public mandate was blatantly stolen".

The felicitations from the PTI and Ayub come at a time when the party's founder Imran Khan remains imprisoned for over a year following convictions in multiple cases.

The wish for Trump is also crucial as the party has, according to claims made by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, urged foreign powers to influence Pakistan for the release of their founder and ensure moving him abroad.

During his tenure as prime minister of Pakistan, Imran shared amicable ties with Trump administration — a reason why the PTI celebrates the US president-elect's return to power as a potential advantage.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, in his message for Trump, congratulated him and his team on the "election and historic comeback" and "resounding victory".

Terming the Republican's win and mandate "anti-war", Bilawal wrote: "We hope the new administration will prioritise peace and help end the cycle of perpetual global conflict."