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Prime minister-in-waiting Imran Khan on Tuesday extended his support to Turkey which is embroiled in an intense dispute with the United States that has seen the lira tumble.
In a tweet, Khan assured Turkey's President Recep Erdogan and the Turkish people that "we (the people of Pakistan) are praying for their success in dealing with the severe economic challenges confronting them".
He also expressed hope that the country would succeed in coming out of the crisis, "as they have always succeeded against adversities in their glorious history".
A day earlier, the Foreign Office had also announced the country's support for Turkey and had insisted on dialogue with the US in order to maintain peace and stability.
"The people and the Government of Pakistan reiterate their strong support for the Government and the people of Turkey in their quest for peace and prosperity," the statement said, adding that Islamabad will continue to stand by the Turkish people "as always".
On Monday, Turkey’s central bank failed to halt the precipitous plunge of the lira with a raft of measures aimed at soothing markets, as Erdogan accused the United States of seeking to stab its Nato ally “in the back”.
A dispute between Turkey and the US — which reached new intensity over the detention of an American pastor — has hammered the lira and also raised questions over the future partnership between Washington and Ankara.
Last Friday, President Donald Trump had said via a tweet that the tariff on aluminium imports would be increased to 20 per cent and the tariff on steel imports would be raised to 50pc as the Turkish Lira “slides rapidly downward against our very strong Dollar!”
Trump had also declared that “Our relations with Turkey are not good at this time!”
Pakistan and Turkey have enjoyed close ties over the years. In February, during the vote on US's motion to ‘grey list’ Pakistan at the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) plenary meeting, the only country left opposing the motion was Turkey.
Comments (107) Closed
Visionary!
A good move by Imran Khan, we have to be united and support our brother countries in trouble. No country should be bullied!
It will prove to be very costly.
:) First tweet of my PRIME MINISTER!
I think it is the right time that we focus the challenges which our economy face in our own country and show some solidarity with our own country. We already have so much issues at home so lets try to focus on them
I wish someone will hear what he has said.
The Great Khan is stepping with care and concern. He is taking all the right decisions. It brings tears to my eyes for Pakistan and it brave people. The Captain is at the helm as the storm looms at the horizon. Pakistan Zindabad. Alhamdollilah!.
USA spoiling relation for itself nothing stopping now affected countries to join other blocks.IK has rightly supporting. No difference left between Nawaz Sharif and Trump.
Erdogan is a thug who has imprisoned more than 50,000 of his political opponents. The last thing IK needs is to alienate our largest export customer and the country that has great influence over the IMF helping Erdogan.
NS would have never said a word!
A friend in need is a friend in deed.
All the Muslim and Arab Countries must unitedly pray for Turkeys resurgence in this hour of need. We appreciate the concern of Prime Minister in waiting Imran Khan towards the people of Turkey. In this Holy Month of Zul Haj and appropriately we are in the last ten days of this Holy Month we must make use of this opportunity to make constant duas for all the Muslim and Arab countries in the World.
Well done Foreign Office and Imran Khan for the support shown to Turkey. Can we please have very good relationship with all our neighbours. Any chance of Pakistan Turkey and Iran to have same old relationship like we used to have.
Let us help each other. We both are sailing in the same boat. Yes What IK said- we are praying for the economic boost. Well, its a good gesture.
I think our politicians and leaders should keep their 'ears open and their mouths shut!'
Come on Khan Saheb. Don't you have enough troubles of your own?
should I laugh or should I cry?
So good. Turkey is representative of Islamic countries and if we can, then we must support and help Turkey
Its good to see Pakistan supporting its allies at the time of need with mutual interest without getting under pressure from the US or other countries. Pakistan should focus on bilateral relations with every country based on its best interest..!
Nice gesture
Lets worry about our own economy.
We need to fix our problems first.
How do you overcome miserable decisions of Turkey's leader?
I Request all Pakistanis to please exchange some of their currency in to Turkish currency Lira to make it stronger. Convert 1 Lira or 10 Lira. But please do it.
America has no friends only interests. Thos who think america is their friend are fools.once they have no use for u they will leave u like iraq afghanistan libya syria. If u dont learn from history u must be blind.
Great to see how active our PM is Nawaz Sharif never uttered a word about anything going on in the world
@ARIF. No magic wand available.
There is immense love for Pakistan amongst Turkish people. This dates back to the sacrifices made by the Muslims of the subcontinent during the Khilafat movement. Imran Khan is representing the feelings of Pakistanis in general for their Turk brethren.
Turkey has always supported Pakistan and Turkis people always show love and respect for Pakistanis. It is good that our government is giving them moral support as they cannot do much at this time.
Good, Pakistan should support
Pakistan's economy is at the edge of crisis. IMF denied to give extra fund. What type of support will IK gives to Turkey
This is called leadership and statesmentship.
It is great to support the Turkey government on this testing times IK is going to be a great PM.
@ARIF we don't forget our friends in times of their need. His gesture will pave a new beginning between both countriesn
As prime minister how much money is Imran willing to lend Turkey?
So impressive. Time has come to jump into Turkey and the USA dispute. We must jump into other country's dispute especially if the dispute is with the super power. Very intelligent move. We are so lucky to have a PM like Imran Khan.
We are with Turkey, Iran and Palestine....not with US, Saudi and Israel.
'as they have always succeeded against adversities in their glorious history".
What a inspirational statement to make to a nation facing adversity by US. That is an educated and we'll read leaders statement.
Turkey should leave NATO.
@Junaid That's because NS never knew what was going on in the world. Other than in Raiwind.
@RUMI Need one say more;
' In February, during the vote on US's motion to ‘grey list’ Pakistan at the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) plenary meeting, the only country left opposing the motion was Turkey'
Well said. Pakistan must support Turkey financially in this hour of financial crisis....if it can.
Good gesture but I wonder how can we help when our own exchequer are empty.
@TomTom sarcastic comment. Wait he is not yet officially the Prime Minister.
A positive move. But 'prayers' are not enough. Pakistan must actively invest in and help out Turkey, as much as possible.
@RUMI ... you need to show support to friends in difficult times regardless of how much you in trouble yourself. Being passive and not doing anything get you nowhere.
Turkey is in big trouble and is going to fail in a big way
Turkey is a sinking ship and Pakistan needs to stay away from it
Empty pointless words by IK
How about you sort out the economic balance of payment crisis at home first, PM Khan. Turkey still doesn't need an IMF bailout. You do!
@TomTom Increase trade and business!
If minus 100 added to minus 10 it will not become plus, it will become minis 110.
Saudia was the 1st country who changed their decision and voted against Pak at FATF. Turkey left alone till the end but did not voted against Pakistan. This is called a true friendship.
Great and timely statement and thinking ......
This is what a real leader says and does. Thank you Imran Khan.
Time for all sane countries to delink from the US Dollar.
After offering to help resolve the Saudi-Iran dispute, Pakistan's new Prime Minister is honing his foreign policy by taking on the Turkey-US dispute. Other intractable disputes like the Palestine-Israel, China-Taiwan and Kashmir await him. All this even before he is inaugurated!
@TomTom Yes. I don't think anything positive going to happen.
There are times when silence is golden....
Idiotic statement in my opinion. I am not sure why we In Pakistan feel compelled to put our noses in other countries affairs rather then focus on our issues. We very well know that Trump is not a rational thinker and unnecessary statements like this can hurt our relationship with The US at a time we need their support the most. International affairs are not managed like interpersonal affairs.
I wish our Turkish brothers and sisters best of luck. US should resolve this pastor detention issue through dialogue rather than through raising tariff.
Well said Mr Prime Minister Designate!
We should extend full support to Turkey which is meaningful - that may mean switching contracts to Turkish providers and paying in yeni Liras instead of Dollars.
What could Pakistan possibly do? Turkey's economy is much larger than Pakistan.
Words are cheap. Turkey is not looking for other nations to pray for them, they are looking for alternate buyers of their steel and aluminum. Can Pakistan replace the US as Turkey's customer for these products? I think the answer is no. All thid pep talk is of no use
Pakistan will ALWAYS support Turkey! They are our true brothers!!!
Hour of need to extend moral and every possible support to our all weather brother (not friend), great gesture by IK.
Pakistan is unable handle it's own affairs and wants to support Turkey.
That amounts to sympathizing with the passenger who is sailing in the same boat.
We admire and love President Erdogan and brotherly people of Turkey. Pakistan will always stand by Turkey.
Long Live Turkey...Long Live Pakistan...........Two brothers forever !!!!
@Harmony-1© Because NS was smart.
Welcome onboard should have been the message from Imran Khan.
Charity starts from home. Imran should first think of problems of Pakistan.
@Candasuck "NS was smart"?
Really? Is that why he's in jail and IK is the next PM, by people's choice? Maybe the people of Pakistan have finally become smarter!
The jealousy from the indian comments makes Pakistanis laugh. PM IK Zindabad! Pakistan Pa-indabad
How that support is going to help. The lira is devalued now and it could take our currency down. How we could help if we are not on strong feet
So apparently we don't want an IMF bailout. Does Asad Umer know about this or are we going to see another U-turn?
Borrowing money and extending support
Pakistan stands with Turkey!
It is not going to make any difference to the US.
Let Turkish PM deal with his own problems, we have enough of ours on our plate.
We need to learn from Turkey. Muslim countries need to trade with each other. Even when western countries leadership is in favor of Muslim countries. Too much dependency on western trade is nit good.Muslim countries need to stop buying weapons and arms from western countries. After all western countries economies are based on weapons sales
Excuse me! Our economy is in bigger shambles! We have made UsA our enemy too. So we ll also face same issues soon. Better worry about our country than to look goody goody to others
@ARIF do you have any idea what is happening around the world ? We are going towards worst economic war between china and US which will directly impact Pakistan. It is about time to think out of box. Enough of internal politics.
@TomTom it is not about money it is all about trade which Pakistan need badly.
Hope Imran Khan provides financial assistance to Turkey from Pakistan's treasury so Turkey can tide over economic crisis.As a Islamic nation it the responsibility of Pakistan to provide financial assistance to fellow Islamic countries.
How he is going to support Turkey economically when his own country is in trouble and need 12 billion US dollar to pay import bills.
Time to unite against oppressors, tyrants and autocrats.
It's good for goodwill gesture but what can we do for Turkey as we are in worst ever economic and financial crisis of our own
IK is already shooting himself in the foot, and hasn’t even been sworn in yet.
This statement win my heart. Not a supporter of IK but now I am. Great Captain.
Surprised to see majority of the readers praising Imran Khan and talking of friendship et el. I am convinced, sane people in Pakistan needs to bring changes in education and at all levels including PM. It is silly of IK to side with KSA and Turkey before even getting PM badge. After standing against US, his govt does not stand a chamce of getting a penny from IMF and will have to get into bigger mess with China. It is getting messier and murkier in Pakistan.
Sir, your house is on fire. First tend to it then go and help others.
We must support Turkey in these times.
Trump and US want their own agenda to dominate the world and they resort to such tactics to blackmail.
@k p rao Really, is that what your media misleads you to believe. Look closely, it is IOK where the fire burns.
@Rajesh may be just shut your mouth :)
@Magister Moral support? Sometimes that's good enough.
The new PM hasn’t looked into his treasury yet.
They - the US - are out to get Erdogan. But they will not succeed, InShaAllah.
@Fowzul Aleem Farook
"All the Muslim and Arab countries must unitedly pray for Turkey ......."
Expecting too much from Arab countries, the glue of thrones is much too strong.
@Harmony-1© He is smart and understand world politics.
Great tweet.Turkey has always stood by Pakistan.Time to reciprocate.If we can't do anything,show some semblance of solidarity with our friend at least.A very calculated tweet by Khan saab.
@Rajesh
You should be mind your own business !
Excellent!! We support Turkey!!
Very good move.
One blind man leads another !