PM Khan felicitates Erdogan on victory in Turkish local polls

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday felicitated Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on clinching the victory in local elections. 

In a Twitter statement, PM Khan wrote: “I am delighted to congratulate friend of Pakistan Recep Tayyip Erdogan on another important victory in the Turkish local elections.”

Calling him a “friend of Pakistan”, Premier Khan added, “The people of Pakistan wish him many more successes.”

I am delighted to congratulate friend of Pakistan Recep Tayyip Erdogan on another important victory in the Turkish local elections. The people of Pakistan wish him many more successes.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) April 1, 2019

Reuters reported that Erdogan’s AK party lost control of the capital, Ankara, in local elections. However, both his AKP and the opposition claimed to have won the mayoralty of the largest city, Istanbul.

Speaking to thousands of supporters in Ankara, the Turkish president deemed the election as a victory for his party, which along with the coalition partner, the rightwing Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), won more than 50 percent of the votes nationwide.

Erdogan, who has dominated Turkish politics since coming to power 16 years ago and ruled his country with an ever tighter grip, campaigned relentlessly for two months ahead of Sunday’s vote, which he described as a “matter of survival” for Turkey, Reuters reported.