ISLAMABAD – Pakistan said it would stand along with its long term allyTurkey and voiced opposition to the threats of imposition of unilateralsanctions by US President Donald Trump over arrest of an American pastor.
“Pakistan, in principle, is opposed to imposition of unilateral sanctionsagainst any country. The solution to any and all issues should lie indialogue, mutual understanding and goodwill,” the Foreign Office said in astatement.
“Any steps or actions to the contrary only undermine the peace andstability and make the solution to a problem more difficult andintractable,” the statement added amid reports the Turkish Lira continuedits downward slide, triggering a domino effect in the Asian and Europeanmarkets which tumbled on fears that the economic crisis in Turkey couldspill over into the global economy.
The statement said Pakistan acknowledges and greatly appreciates Turkey’sinvaluable role towards regional and international peace and stability. Itis also a vital member and engine of the global economy, the statement said.
“The people and the Government of Pakistan reiterate their strong supportfor the government and the people of Turkey in their quest for peace andprosperity, and as always, will continue to stand by them towards theachievement of these shared goals,” the Foreign Office said.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier said his country would notacquiesce to US pressure. He warned that the actions of the Trumpadministration were a threat to the two countries’ longstanding alliance.
“I want them to know that we will not surrender. We will keep producing andwe will keep increasing exports,” he said. “We will not give in… if youcome at us with your dollars then we will find other ways to do business…,”Erdogan said.
US President Donald Trump in a tweet Friday said: “I have just authorised adoubling of tariffs on steel and aluminum with respect to Turkey as theircurrency, the Turkish Lira, slides rapidly downward against our very strongDollar! Aluminum will now be 20% and steel 50%. Our relations with Turkeyare not good at this time!” – APP