Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on re-election, saying the country will play “an even more effective role” in promoting peace and stability in the Islamic world under his leadership, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
Erdogan received 52.14 percent of the votes, while his competitor, Kemal Klçdarolu, received 47.86 percent, according to Turkiye’s supreme electoral body late on Sunday. The statement came after 99.43 percent of the total votes were counted, according to Turkiye’s electoral administration, who said that with more than two million votes separating the contenders, the votes yet to be counted would not change the outcome. Erdogan succeeded to prolong his authority over the country into a third decade with his latest triumph in an extraordinary presidential run-off election. However, the election results demonstrated how politically polarised the country remains, with Klçdarolu offering the most serious challenge to Turkish President Erdogan in years.
PM Sharif informed Erdogan over the phone that his election victory demonstrated his commitment and “exemplary service” to the people of Turkiye. He claimed that under Erdogan’s leadership, the country has made significant progress during the last two decades.
“I believe that Turkiye will play an even more effective role for peace and stability in the region and the Islamic world,” Sharif remarked. “Your personal commitment to strengthening and deepening Turkiye and Pakistan’s special relationship is satisfying.”
Sharif informed Erdogan Pakistan desired that the seventh Strategic Cooperative Council meeting between the two countries take place as soon as possible.
“Your arrival will further promote the strategic partnership of the two brotherly countries in multilateral fields,” Sharif remarked.
According to a PMO statement, Erdogan responded by thanking Pakistan’s prime minister for his good remarks and expressing warm wishes to the people and government of Pakistan.
When Turkiye was hit by a 7.6-magnitude earthquake in February, Pakistan was one of the first countries to send aid and relief supplies. Over 50,000 people were murdered in portions of Turkey and Syria where the earthquake struck, and thousands of buildings were destroyed.
PM Sharif traveled to Turkiye less than two weeks after the earthquake to show solidarity with the Turkiye government and people, where he visited disaster victims and Turkish leaders.
