ISLAMABAD, Jul 20: President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday extended his heartfelt felicitations to Prime Minister Andy Burnham on assuming office as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

The president expressed the hope that under Prime Minister Burnham’s leadership, Pakistan and the United Kingdom would further strengthen their longstanding bilateral partnership and expand cooperation across areas of mutual interest, a news release issued from Presidency said.

President Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to dialogue, diplomacy and the peaceful resolution of disputes. He noted that, as the world, particularly the Gulf region, has been passing through a turbulent period since late February, Pakistan has played its part in promoting peace with the support of many brotherly countries.

He expressed the hope that the United Kingdom, under Prime Minister Burnham’s leadership, would also play its part in securing a cessation of the current hostilities and return to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.

The president wished Prime Minister Burnham success in his new responsibilities and said that he looked forward to working together to further deepen the enduring ties between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.