Islamabad:President Asif Ali Zardari has felicitated President of the Republic of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the people of Uganda on the occasion of Uganda's Independence Day.

In his letter the President said that Pakistan and Uganda enjoy close and cordial relations founded on mutual respect, shared values and cooperation at international fora.

He expressed confidence that the friendly relations between Pakistan and Uganda would continue to deepen through enhanced cooperation in diverse fields for the mutual benefit of the two countries and their peoples.

Meanwhile President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday expressed his condolences over the passing of Makhdoom Pir Arif Zaman Qureshi, former Member of the Provincial Assembly from Khanewal.

The president, in a statement said that Makhdoom Pir Arif Zaman Qureshi's long struggle and valuable services for the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) were unforgettable.

He said the demise of Makhdoom Pir Arif Zaman Qureshi was a great loss for the Pakistan Peoples Party.

President Zardari said late Arif Zaman Qureshi had maintained his loyalty and association with the party from the era of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto to the present leadership.

He said Makhdoom Pir Arif Zaman Qureshi's services to the party and his democratic struggle would always be remembered.