PM Shehbaz pledges to continue assisting quake-victims of Turkey

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday reiterated that Pakistan would stand by Türkiye in the wake of a devastating earthquake with all possible relief assistance.

In an interview with Anadolu Agency, the premier said he was deeply grieved at this very difficult situation and hoped the Turkish people under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan would overcome the post-quake challenges.

He stated that President Erdogan was leading from the front along with his team, adding that they remained undaunted by the extreme weather conditions and were marching forward with a sense of purpose.

“Things are extremely difficult, but the resolve of the Turkish nation is strong,” he said, highlighting that the Turkish nation, in the past, had fought for their freedom by offering sacrifices.

“Out of this challenge, there is an opportunity, and no doubt, they will convert this destruction into a wonderful construction,” the prime minister opined.

PM Shehbaz said Pakistan and Türkiye were like two souls and one heart.

He said that after the earthquake, he spoke to President Erdogan on the telephone and offered condolences and everything they had in Pakistan for their Turkish brothers and sisters.

The premier added that Pakistan had already sent 500 tons of relief goods through different commercial flights and via Pakistan air force planes.

The premier hoped that by the end of this month, Pakistan would be able to send almost 1,300 tons of relief goods which would increase to 1,700 tons by March. Shehbaz stated that the bulk of it would be comprised of winterised tents.

He maintained that he had ordered the speedy manufacturing of the tents which would be sent to Türkiye.

“Our rescue teams were able to rescue 14 people from the rubble. But this devastation is beyond imagination,” he said.

The prime minister stated that the federal cabinet and Parliament of Pakistan had donated one month’s salary to the relief fund established for the earthquake-affected Turkish people.

He said that he had also requested the people of Pakistan to express complete solidarity with Türkiye.

Shehbaz recollected that during the earthquake of 2005, the floods of 2010 and last year’s floods in Pakistan, President Erdogan and the Turkish people went the extra mile to help Pakistan with huge generosity.

Read Turkey quake damage estimated at $25b

“It’s a colossal loss, so no amount of aid would be enough,” he observed while referring to the vast devastation caused by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck different regions of Türkiye and Syria.

He said more than 30,000 people had died and they offered condolences at this devasting loss of lives and properties.

“We are in a deep sense of grief and sorrow and prayed for the departed souls”, he added.

To serve the suffering humanity in Türkiye, PM Shehbaz said that the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) should immediately convene a meeting, assuring that he would request the OIC secretary general to hold an emergency meeting so that all Muslim countries could decide on an immediate relief package for Türkiye.

He also urged the international community to play its role as Türkiye needed their support.

The prime minister cautioned that a similar situation could arise somewhere else, so the global community should accept the challenge and support the quake victims with collective efforts.

Shehbaz added that it was not a question of point scoring or taking sides.

“It is high time for the international community to come forward and contribute whatever they can for the rehabilitation of the earthquake-affected people,” he said.

Lauding the leadership qualities of President Erdogan, the prime minister expressed optimism that his government would come out of the crises, adding the people of Pakistan stood in complete solidarity with the Turkish people.

The prime minister said Turkish people had also donated billions of dollars to their quake victims.

About the close ties between the two countries, the prime minister said that their hearts beat together, though they spoke different languages, but understood each other.

“That is the spirit and motivation, it goes back to centuries,” he further elaborated.

Some people said that the friendship formed during Khilafat Movement, a movement which was led by the Johar brothers in the Indo-Pak sub-continent, in which the Muslims had contributed whatever they could for their Turkish brethren.

“But the relationship goes back centuries. It is unique in this world,” he observed.

During the devastating 2022 floods in Pakistan, Türkiye donated millions of dollars for the victims, including the provision of tents, medicines and the construction of schools. The Turkish first lady also contributed her bracelet for the flood victims.