ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan Thursday congratulated Gambia’s President Adama Barrow for his “impressive victory” in the country’s presidential elections.

Read more: PM Imran Khan congratulates Olaf Scholz on assuming office of German Chancellor

“Heartiest congratulations to President Adama Barrow on impressive victory in Presidential elections,” tweeted PM Imran.

The people of Gambia have once again “reposed their trust” in President Barrow’s “able leadership”, he added.

“I look forward to continuing the productive engagement between Pakistan and Gambia,” said PM Imran.

Heartiest Congratulations to President Adama Barrow @BarrowPresident on impressive victory in Presidential elections. People of brotherly Gambia have again reposed their trust in his able leadership. I look forward to continuing the productive engagement between 🇵🇰 & 🇬🇲.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) December 9, 2021

Gambians repose trust in Barrow

In last week’s election, Adama Barrow comfortably won a second term, although his opponents have disputed the results.

Barrow, whose assumption of the presidency five years ago ended more than 20 years of dictatorship, garnered more than 53 per cent of the vote, according to results released by the electoral commission. His main challenger Ousainou Darboe won 27.7 per cent.

Saturday’s election, the first since former dictator Yahya Jammeh fled into exile, is seen as crucial for the young West African democracy.

Read more: Sri Lanka confident PM Imran Khan will punish culprits

Electoral commission chairman Alieu Momarr Njai declared Barrow the winner, announcing the final results to journalists hours after rival candidates had challenged partial results that gave him a commanding lead.

(With additional input from AFP)