PM Shehbaz vows maximum support to Turkey during visit to quake-hit areas

Premier visits earthquake site, hands over relief goods to Turkish officials

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday promised further aid to Turkey as he vowed to provide "maximum assistance" for the country's post-earthquake rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts.

A 7.8 magnitude earthquake that hit the region in the middle of the night on Feb 6 has killed at least 38,044 people in southern Turkey, according to official figures.

Read Turkish stars collect more than $6 billion for earthquake affectees

Agencies have begun to shift their focus on the homeless and destitute survivors that have already been rescued from the rubble as hopes of pulling out any more alive affectees began to dwindle.

PM Shehbaz continued his two-day solidarity visit to the country today, as he travelled to Adiyaman -- a city devastated by the disaster.

وزیرِ اعظم محمد شہباز شریف انقرہ سے آدیامان پہنچ گئے

آدیامان ترکیہ میں حالیہ زلزلے سے سب سے ذیادہ متاثر ہونے والا شہر ہے.

وزیرِ اعظم نے زلزلہ زدگان کیلئے پاکستان کی جانب سے بھیجا جانے والا امدادی سامان ترک حکام کے حوالے کیا. #PMShehbazinTurkiye pic.twitter.com/R0WuWBIcAT

— PML(N) (@pmln_org) February 17, 2023

On his arrival at Adiyaman airport, the prime minister was received by Turkish trade minister Mehmet Mus, Minister for Communication Adil Ismailoglu, Governor of Adiyaman Mahmut Cuhadar, President of Turk-Pakistan Friendship Group in the Turkish parliament Ali Shaheen, and senior officials.

وزیرِ اعظم کا آدیامان میں پاکستانی ریسکیو ٹیموں سے بھی ملاقات.

وزیرِ اعظم نے پاک فوج اور ریسکیو 1122 کے اہلکاروں کی امدادی کاروائیوں کو سراہا.

پاکستان فضائی، سمندری اور زمینی راستوں سے ترکیہ کے زلزلہ زدگان کیلئے امداد بھیج رہا ہے. وزیرِ اعظم. #PMShehbazinTurkiye pic.twitter.com/gYno6Gw3Hg

— PML(N) (@pmln_org) February 17, 2023

The prime minister interacted with the victims of the earthquake who lost their families and conveyed to them sympathies on behalf of the Pakistani nation.

PM Shehbaz assured the Turkish government and the affected people that Pakistan would extend every possible cooperation to the brotherly country to cope with the devastation.

He termed Turkiye as the friend and brotherly country of Pakistan and hoped that the country would overcome the challenging times with resilience.

Read More Turkey quake damage estimated at $25b

The premier also handed over the relief goods which comprised mainly of winterised tents to the Turkish officials, during his visit. A special aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force transported the relief goods.

Additionally, Shehbaz met the rescue teams from Pakistan that took part in the search operation.

Pakistan mobilised relief assistance for both Turkiye and Syria, sending an 85-member urban search and rescue team, a 10-member search and rescue team, and a 10-member medical team to support the relief efforts.

Furthermore, the federal cabinet on Thursday also decided to send 20,000 quilts to the earthquake victims and directed the Finance Department to release Rs.50 million for the purpose.