Pakistani PM praises Turkish people for resisting military takeover

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday praised the people of Turkey for backing their elected government and resisting a military takeover.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said at least 161 people were killed and 1,440 wounded in the coup attempt that swept the country on Friday night but was foiled by Saturday morning.

Turkey's acting Army Chief Gen. Umit Dundar has said that 104 coup plotters were among the dead.

"I strongly condemn the attempt to undermine democracy by a failed coup in the brotherly country of Turkey,"the Pakistani prime minister said.

"We deeply admire the resolve of the brave and resilient Turkish people, who stood up against the forces of darkness and anarchy to express their support and commitment to democracy,"Nawaz Sharif said in a statement.

He expressed complete support and solidarity with President Erdogan, the democratically elected government of Turkey and the democratic institutions of Turkey.

"Pakistan reaffirms its abiding interest in a democratic, peaceful and stable Turkey. We wish to convey our prayers and good wishes for President Erdogan's well-being and welfare of the people of Turkey as well as the unity of the Islamic Ummah (nations),"he further said.

Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan deeply appreciates President Erdogan's steadfast support and the support of the people of Turkey to Pakistan on all occasions, whenever the need arose.

"I wish to reaffirm full support of the government and people of Pakistan to the elected leadership and government and the people of Turkey,"the prime minister said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had earlier blamed the movement led by Turkey's Islamic scholar Fethullah Gulen now living in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania for the coup. Gulen reportedly denied the charge.

In remarks delivered early Saturday in Istanbul, Erdogan vowed to finish the operation against the military plotters, saying "Our army is clean and no one can harm it." Endit