Neighbourly gestures: Pakistan, India in Kashmir relief bonhomie
Modi offers Indian resources for flood relief in AJK; Nawaz reciprocates.
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan and India have offered each other assistance in carrying out relief efforts for people affected by flash floods and torrential rains on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) which divides Kashmir.
In a letter addressed to his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday offered his country’s help for the rain-affected residents of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
“In this hour of need, I offer any assistance that you may need in the relief efforts that will be undertaken by the Government of Pakistan. Our resources are at your disposal wherever you need them,” Modi said. The unprecedented move comes at a time when relations between the two neighbors are going through the rough patch.
Reciprocating the Indian offer, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan was ready to help people affected by rains in Indian Kashmir in ‘whatever manner was required’.
“We also feel the pain of the people of Indian Kashmir and are ready to help in whatever way possible to mitigate the suffering of the people affected by the floods,” the premier said.
According to the statement issued here by the foreign ministry, the government and people of Pakistan expressed condolences over the loss of precious lives of “Kashmiri brethren on both sides of the Line of control caused by torrential rains and flash floods.”
The statement said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif carried out an aerial survey of the affected area in AJK and said Pakistan was monitoring relief and rescue operations.
The Indian Prime Minister also expressed sympathies with those who lost their loved ones due to the natural catastrophe.
“It is a matter of great distress that the retreating monsoon rains have played havoc in many parts of our two countries,” Modi said.
“I visited some of the areas affected by unprecedented rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir today. The devastation caused by the record rains and the consequent flooding is unprecedented. There have been many deaths and heavy damage to property and infrastructure.”
He further said, “while reviewing the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, I was informed that the damage to life and property is equally, if not more severe in areas across the Line of Control as well. My heart goes out to the affected people and my deepest sympathies are with them and their families.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 8th, 2014.
Pakistan and India have offered each other assistance in carrying out relief efforts for people affected by flash floods and torrential rains on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) which divides Kashmir.
In a letter addressed to his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday offered his country’s help for the rain-affected residents of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
“In this hour of need, I offer any assistance that you may need in the relief efforts that will be undertaken by the Government of Pakistan. Our resources are at your disposal wherever you need them,” Modi said. The unprecedented move comes at a time when relations between the two neighbors are going through the rough patch.
Reciprocating the Indian offer, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan was ready to help people affected by rains in Indian Kashmir in ‘whatever manner was required’.
“We also feel the pain of the people of Indian Kashmir and are ready to help in whatever way possible to mitigate the suffering of the people affected by the floods,” the premier said.
According to the statement issued here by the foreign ministry, the government and people of Pakistan expressed condolences over the loss of precious lives of “Kashmiri brethren on both sides of the Line of control caused by torrential rains and flash floods.”
The statement said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif carried out an aerial survey of the affected area in AJK and said Pakistan was monitoring relief and rescue operations.
The Indian Prime Minister also expressed sympathies with those who lost their loved ones due to the natural catastrophe.
“It is a matter of great distress that the retreating monsoon rains have played havoc in many parts of our two countries,” Modi said.
“I visited some of the areas affected by unprecedented rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir today. The devastation caused by the record rains and the consequent flooding is unprecedented. There have been many deaths and heavy damage to property and infrastructure.”
He further said, “while reviewing the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, I was informed that the damage to life and property is equally, if not more severe in areas across the Line of Control as well. My heart goes out to the affected people and my deepest sympathies are with them and their families.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 8th, 2014.