Pakistan, Aug. 15 -- World leaders and friendly nations extended Independence Day greetings to Pakistan on Friday as the country marked 79 years of independence with special prayers and ceremonies honouring the sacrifices of its founding fathers.

The day began with a 31-gun salute in Islamabad and 21-gun salutes in the provincial capitals, while a change of guard ceremony was also held at Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi.

Iranian President

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian described Pakistan's Independence Day as a valuable opportunity to pay tribute to the achievements of the Pakistani nation.

Pezeshkian said the shared interests and destinies of Iran and Pakistan were becoming more closely linked, stressing that the need for greater coord...