PM Imran congratulates Erdogan over ‘victory’ in Turkish local election

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday congratulated Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on what he said another important victory in the Turkish local elections.

“I am delighted to congratulate friend of Pakistan Recep Tayyip Erdogan,” he wrote on Twitter and added the people of Pakistan wish him many more successes.

Erdogan’s AK party won many districts in the local elections, but it was defeated in capital Ankara and Istanbul cities at the hands of secularist Republican People’s Party.

The deaft in two major cities came as shock for the Islamic rooted party led by Erdogan who has been ruling the country for over 16 years now.

He is regarded as the most popular leader in the country since Mustafa Kamal Attaturk.

Erdogan who, was reported to have been ruthlessly campaigning ahead of the election, conceded defeat in Ankara and Istanbul and said AK party would challenge the results wherever needed.

Last month Prime Minister Imran Khan called Malaysian leader Mahathir Mohamad and Erdohan only two leaders in the Muslim world who have transformed their countries.

His remarks came during Pakistan Day Celebrations where Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad was invited.