Traders collect donations for Turkiye, Syria earthquake victims

Business community vows to help victims in all possible ways

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) organised a ceremony to pray for those who died in the recent devastating earthquake in Turkiye and Syria.

On this occasion, donations were also collected for the relief of earthquake victims, said a press release issued. Speaking at the event, President, ICCI Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari said that the business community is standing with the earthquake victims of Turkiye and Syria in this difficult time and is trying to help them in every possible way.

He said that this was the most destructive earthquake in decades and had caused severe destruction in Turkiye and Syria. More than 24,000 people have died in both countries and the number is estimated to rise within the next few days, he added.

He said that this earthquake has also resulted in the loss of billions of dollars. He expressed sorrow for the displacement of millions of people who were facing severe difficulties in cold and harsh weather.

He said that when there was a devastating earthquake in Pakistan back in October 2005, the aid teams from Turkiye immediately arrived in Pakistan.

Moreover, Turkiye has always come forward to help Pakistan in every difficult time, so it is our responsibility to help them in this difficult time, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 14^th, 2023.