22 June 2018•Update: 22 June 2018
By Aamir Latif
KARACHI, Pakistan
Major political parties in Pakistan have promised to introduce the policies of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to put the country on the path of progress should they win the forthcoming general elections.
Leaders of major political parties like Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz group) and the five-party religious alliance, Muttehida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), are vowing at public meetings to make the country an economic power by following in the footsteps of Erdogan if they win the elections slated for July 25.
The PML(N) President Shehbaz Sharif, who has already been nominated as the party’s candidate for the prime minister, posted a tweet containing the pictures of him and Erdogan.
“Two leaders belonging to the two brotherly countries are making a case for re-election to serve their respective people. Besides sharing incredible chemistry and unwavering brotherly bond, what distinguishes them from the rest is their dedication and marvelous track record of public service”, the tweet reads.
Likewise, Siraj-ul-Haq, the vice president of MMA and chief of Jamat-e-Islami, the country’s one of the two mainstream religious parties, has promised to bring about a “change” in the country in line with what Erdogan has done in Turkey.
“Pakistan and Turkey are two great countries. Turkey has climbed the stairs of progress just because they have a leader like Erdogan. If Pakistanis elect leaders like him, we can also make progress,” Haq, who is also a senator, told an election gathering at his home district Dir, which borders neighboring Afghanistan.
Historic transition
Shehbaz, who is the younger brother of the three-time premier Nawaz Sharif observed that Turkey stands at the cusp of historic transition, which will determine its future and solidify the gains made so far.
“President Erdogan, who is a revered brother and a dear friend to me, has presided over Turkey’s transformation ever since the Justice and Development Party took office in 2003,” Shehbaz told Anadolu Agency.
“His dynamic leadership has been instrumental in the massive strides Turkey has made over the years. Its solid progress on the path of economic development, democratization and empowerment of the people is owed to the vision of President Erdogan and the single-minded focus on its translation into reality,” he maintained.
Relations between Turkey and Pakistan, he noted, achieved unprecedented heights during Erdogan’s term in office. “He invested his personal energy and commitment to upgrading the bilateral ties”, he added.
“President Erdogan’s slogan of social justice in all walks of life captures the spirit of times and lays the foundation of the people’s welfare. I believe that post-June Turkey will be pivotal to shaping the regional and global dynamics,” he went on to say.
Commending the Turkey’s bold foreign policy, Shehbaz noted that Ankara’s perpetual solidarity and support for the oppressed particularly the people of Kashmir, Palestine, and Rohingya, is “exemplary” to other nations.
“I wish President Erdogan all the best in the June 24 elections and pray for his success,” he added.
Prayer day
A prayer day was observed across Pakistan on Friday on the appeal of Mufti-i-Azam (Grand Mufti) Pakistan, Maulana Rafi Usmani, and other religious scholars to express solidarity with President Erdogan and his campaign for the presidential election.
Scholars during Friday sermons at Mosques in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta and other cities particularly praised Erdogan’s pro-refugees policies.
“The way he [Erdogan] has voiced [for] and practically helped the Syrian and Rohingya refugees, is unmatchable. Not only the Muslims, but the entire pro-humanity community commend him for that,” Usmani said during a Friday sermon in Karachi.
“The entire world is looking to presidential elections in Turkey. Anti-Islam forces have got united against Erdogan and he needs our prayers at this stage,” he said.
“Erdogan is a ray of hope for the oppressed people who stand alongside him. His re-election simply means the victory of the oppressed across the world,” he added.
