The Pakistani Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, has pledged to provide full support to Turkey following the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake. The death toll stands at 17,674 in Turkey and 3,377 in Syria, with a total of 21,051 confirmed fatalities as of Friday morning.
At an event held at Lahore airport, the Prime Minister announced that the federal government has allocated PKR 10 billion towards Turkey’s earthquake relief efforts. Moreover, he confirmed that a Pakistani army team has been sent to Turkey and an air bridge has been established to transport 100 tonnes of relief goods, including food, medicine, and winterized tents.
The Prime Minister expressed concern for the rising death toll and destruction of infrastructure in Turkey and Syria and called upon the nation to pray for the victims of the earthquake during Friday prayers. He also appealed to the people, welfare organizations, and businessmen to take part in the fund collection drive and make donations to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for the earthquake in Turkey.
According to the Prime Minister, his government has decided to turn ongoing rescue and relief efforts into a nationwide campaign of support for Turkey, ensuring that no stone will be left unturned in providing assistance. He also asked the chief ministers to help in the efforts.
The Turkish consul-general thanked the Pakistani people and government for their expression of solidarity, and acknowledged the strong ties between the two countries.
The Prime Minister stated in a tweet that Pakistan would continue to support Turkey in its time of need and would enlist the support of the business community, religious scholars, and educational institutions. He also emphasized the urgency of aid, as the affected areas are facing harsh cold weather.
As a whole, the Prime Minister’s remarks underscored the importance of providing aid and support to Turkey and Syria following the devastating earthquake.
