Beijing: President Asif Ali Zardari has extended felicitations to the President of South Africa Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa and the people of South Africa on the occasion of their National Day.

In a message on behalf of the Government and the people of Pakistan, the President said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its cordial relations with South Africa which are rooted in shared values, mutual trust and a common commitment to peace, development and multilateral cooperation.

Asif Ali Zardari also recalled the principled stance of Pakistan during the apartheid years when as early as 1948 Pakistan refused to recognize the apartheid regime along with Zionist Israel.

The President expressed his confidence that the existing ties between Pakistan and South Africa would continue to grow in the years ahead, bringing greater prosperity and well-being to the people of both nations.