PM vows to continue assisting quake-hit people

NDMA sends one more relief consignment to Turkiye

LAHORE:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday said that Pakistan would continue assisting the quake-affected brethren and sisters of Turkiye and Syria as the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) sent one more relief consignment.

The consignment containing a 4.7-tonne load, including 1,446 winter blankets and tents, was sent via a Pakistan International Airlines flight to Turkiye.
Chairing a meeting to review the ongoing relief efforts, Premier Shehbaz said, “The fund established for the earthquake-affected people of Turkiye will also be utilised to support the quake victims of Syria.”

The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, PM’s Special Assistant Syed Tariq Fatemi, secretaries of foreign affairs, aviation, NDMA chairman and other high officials, according to a statement issued by the PM Office Media Wing.

The prime minister said during the meeting that Pakistan would bear all the expenses on the supply of relief goods to these countries.

He also directed the NDMA to purchase the required items keeping in view the needs of the quake victims, adding that Pakistan was not only utilising the air bridge but also ensuring supply of relief assistance through land and sea routes.

The prime minister directed the planning minister to contact the educational institutions for running an organised fund-raising campaign.

He also asked the religious affairs ministry to spread awareness in the religious institutions by taking the ulema on board.

The prime minister praised the ministers, authorities, institutions and personnel who had been making efforts for the provision of relief to the quake victims.

He observed that the Pakistani rescue workers had been playing a major role in rescuing the people.

During the meeting, the prime minister was apprised that relief items, including winter tents, blankets, quilts and warm clothes, were being sent to Turkiye and a large part of this consignment had been sent through air bridge.

The meeting was further informed that the people had started donating relief goods at the NDMA collection points.

Pakistan already sent more than 11,000 winter tents to the quake victims whereas 14,000 tents would be dispatched next week, and more than 42,000 blankets would be part of the relief assistance.

Ambassadors of Pakistan to Turkiye and Syria also apprised the prime minister of the situation in the quake-hit areas and the requirements of the affected people.
The prime minister directed them to remain in close contact with the respective governments of Turkiye and Syria.