- Calls for unity to make Pakistan a great nation
ISLAMABAD, August 14: Prime minister-designate Imran Khan on Tuesday pledged support to Turkey in its row with the United States.
In a statement shared on Twitter, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman assured Turkish President Recap Erdogan and the people of Turkey that Pakistan was praying for their success in overcoming formidable economic challenges.
“On behalf of the people of Pakistan & myself, I want to let President Erdogan and the people of Turkey know [that] we are praying for their success in dealing with the severe economic challenges confronting them, as they have always succeeded against adversities in their glorious history,” he wrote.
Relations between the two NATO allies have plummeted in one of their worst crises in decades after the detention of US pastor Andrew Brunson on terror-related charges, sending the Turkish lira into free fall against the dollar.
The lira’s plunge – ongoing for weeks – was turned into a rout on Friday when US President Donald Trump tweeted that Washington was doubling aluminum and steel tariffs for Turkey.
On Tuesday, Erdogan said Turkey would boycott US electronic goods in retaliation for punitive sanctions by Washington against Ankara over the detention of an American pastor.
He added that Turkey was facing an “economic attack” and a “bigger, deeper operation” but showed no sign of making concessions to the United States.
“They don’t hesitate to use the economy as a weapon,” he said. “What do you want to do? What do you want to achieve,” he added, referring to the US.
Meanwhile, in his message on the occasion of the 71st anniversary of Independence from British rule, Khan said: “14 Aug 2018: On this Independence Day I am filled with the greatest optimism. Despite our grave economic crises, due to corruption & cronyism, I know if we are united in our resolve, we will rise to the challenge & Pak will become the great nation envisaged by our Quaid & Iqbal.” Imran Khan has stressed the need for unity to confront challenges faced by the country. Agencies/DNA
