ISLAMABAD: Prime minister-in-waiting Imran Khan has extended support to Turkey which is facing US-imposed sanctions that are pushing its currency lira downwards.

The chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), which secured a simple majority in July 25 elections, reacted to the US move through tweets on Tuesday.

“On behalf of the people of Pakistan & myself, I want to let President Erdogan & the people of Turkey know 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,” says Imran Khan’s tweet.

A day earlier, the Foreign Office had announced Pakistan’s support for Turkey and insisted on dialogue with the US 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,” an official statement said.

In a third Saudi contact in a week, crown prince felicitates PTI chief on telephone

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 President 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, US President Donald Trump had said via a tweet that the tariff on aluminum 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!”

Saudi prince telephones Imran

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman on Tuesday telephoned Imran Khan and expressed his desire to extend diplomatic and trade relation between the two countries. The two leaders invited each other to their countries.

It is for the third time in a week that the Saudi government has congratulated Mr Khan and his party on their success in the July 25 elections. Before this Saudi authorities felicitated him through cable (embassy-to-embassy message) and then Saudi King Salman talked to Mr Khan on telephone.

The Saudi prince said his country wanted to make heavy investment in Pakistan and enhance economic and trade ties as well.

Mr Khan praised the Saudi prince for launching an effective campaign against corruption in his country and said the PTI-led government would get advantage of Prince Muhammad’s experience in this regard.

The PTI chairman said good governance was possible only when the menace of corruption was eliminated.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2018