Pakistani premier congratulates Erdogan on election win

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AA) - Pakistan's caretaker Prime Minister Retired Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk on Monday congratulated President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his election victory.

In a statement, he said: "The people of Pakistan take great pride in the progress and development achieved by Turkey, and hope that the bonds of historic brotherhood between the people of Pakistan and Turkey will continue to grow ever stronger in future."

He added that the victory signifies strong confidence of Turkish people in the leadership of Erdogan.

Turkish citizens voted in twin presidential and parliamentary elections on Sunday.

The Supreme Election Council (YSK) announced Erdogan won an absolute majority in the presidential election.

Currently, 99.2 percent of the ballot boxes have been opened as Erdogan is leading with 52.5 percent of the votes while his major rival Muharrem Ince lags behind at 30.6 percent.

The People's Alliance -- a coalition of Erdogan's Justice and Development (AK) Party and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) -- has won 53.6 percent of the votes as 99.1 percent of the boxes have been opened so far in parliamentary votes.