ISLAMABAD – Prime minister-in-waiting Imran Khan has in a first expresseddirect support for the people of Turkey over crisis with the United States.

He has extended his support to Turkey in an intense dispute with the UnitedStates that has seen the lira tumble.

In a tweet, Khan assured Turkey’s President Recep Erdogan and the Turkishpeople that “we (the people of Pakistan) are praying for their success indealing with the severe economic challenges confronting them”.

He also expressed hope that the country would succeed in coming out of thecrisis “as they have always succeeded against adversities in their glorioushistory”.

A day earlier, the Foreign Office had earlier voiced the country’s supportfor Turkey and had insisted on dialogue with the US in order to maintainpeace and stability.

“The people and the Government of Pakistan reiterate their strong supportfor the Government and the people of Turkey in their quest for peace andprosperity,” the statement said, adding that Islamabad will continue tostand by the Turkish people “as always”.

On Monday, Turkey’s central bank failed to halt the precipitous plunge ofthe lira with a raft of measures aimed at soothing markets, as Erdoganaccused US of seeking to stab its Nato ally “in the back”.