- Pakistan Foreign Ministry reiterates “strong support” for the government and people of Turkey
- The solution to any and all issues should lie in dialogue, mutual understanding and goodwill, Islamabad maintains
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan expressed solidarity with Turkey in its row with the US over Ankara’s refusal to extradite a US preacher imprisoned in the country.
Turkey’s dispute with the US has centered on the detention of American pastor Andrew Brunson, who is on trial for espionage and terror-related charges.
Washington imposed sanctions on Turkey’s Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu and Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul for not releasing the pastor.
Also, on Aug. 10, President Donald Trump doubled US tariffs on Turkish aluminum and steel imports to 20 percent and 50 percent respectively.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office said in a statement on Monday that Islamabad in principle is opposed to the imposition of unilateral sanctions against any country.
“The solution to any and all issues should lie in dialogue, mutual understanding and goodwill. Any steps or actions to the contrary only undermine peace and stability and make the solution to a problem more difficult and intractable,” the Foreign Office said.
Pakistan acknowledged and appreciated “Turkey’s invaluable role toward regional and international peace and stability” in the statement. “It is also a vital member and engine of the global economy,” the ministry said.
“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 and, as always, will continue to stand by them toward the achievement of these shared goals,” the Foreign Office said.