PTI Chairman and former Prime Minister Imran Khan has congratulated Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after he won re-election in a historic run-off that posed the biggest challenge to his 20 years in power.
Taking to Twitter, Imran Khan extended felicitations to Erdogan and prayed that his new five-year term will be a prosperous one for the people of Turkiye.
“I would like to congratulate Erdogan on behalf of the people of my country as he is considered to be a friend of Pakistan. I pray that his fresh five year term as President will bring prosperity to the people of Turkiye,” Imran Khan said.
I would like to congratulate @RTErdogan on behalf of the people of my country as he is considered to be a friend of Pakistan.
I pray that his fresh five year term as President will bring prosperity to the people of Turkiye.— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 29, 2023
Pakistan, a longstanding friend and ally of Turkey, has warmly congratulated President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his resounding election victory. The Pakistani government, along with its people, lauded President Erdogan’s remarkable success, reaffirming the enduring bond between the two nations.
Read more: Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s resounding victory as he extends his 20-year rule
Both the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan had earlier released statements congratulating Erdogan on his election victory.
“I congratulate my dear friend & brother President Erdogan on his re-election to the office of the President of Turkiye. His win is reflective of the trust posed in him by the people. Turkiye is a close friend and a country with which we have had brotherly relations for centuries,” the President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi said.
“Pakistan and Turkiye have always stood by each other and I am confident that our relations would continue to prosper under your dynamic leadership. We look forward to working with you closely and further expanding bilateral cooperation with Turkiye in all areas of mutual interest,” he further added.
Pakistan and Turkiye have always stood by each other and I am confident that our relations would continue to prosper under your dynamic leadership. We look forward to working with you closely and further expand bilateral cooperation with Turkiye in all areas of mutual interest.
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) May 29, 2023
Similarly, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Erdogan was one of the few world leaders “whose politics has been anchored in public service”.
“I keenly look forward to working with him to further deepen our strategic partnership in line with the excellent brotherhood between our two peoples,” he said.
Heartiest congratulations to my dear brother H.E. President @RTErdogan on his historic re-election as President, Republic of Turkiye. He is one of few world leaders whose politics has been anchored in public service. He has been a pillar of strength for the oppressed Muslims & a…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) May 28, 2023
The election had been seen as one of the most consequential yet for Turkey, with the opposition believing it had a strong chance of unseating Erdogan and reversing his policies after his popularity was hit by a cost-of-living crisis.
Erdogan’s challenger, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, called it “the most unfair election in years” but did not dispute the outcome. Official results showed Kilicdaroglu won 47.9% of the votes to Erdogan’s 52.1%, pointing to a deeply divided nation.
Read more: Gays will not ‘infiltrate’ Turkish leadership – Erdogan