Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif left for Turkiye on a two-day visit to extend Pakistan’s support and solidarity after the 7.8-magnitude devastating earthquake killed over 40,000 people in regions of Turkiye and Syria.
In a press release, the Foreign Office said the premier during his stay in Ankara will meet President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan to personally convey heartfelt condolences on behalf of the entire Pakistani nation over the loss of precious lives and the widespread damage caused by the earthquake.
The Prime Minister will also visit earthquake-affected areas in southern Turkiye and interact with the Pakistani medical and rescue teams deployed in the area as well as survivors of the earthquake.
The Foreign Office asserted: “Pakistan and Türkiye enjoy deep fraternal ties. Our two countries have resolutely stood by each other during every trial and tribulation.”
The premier announced his visit in a tweet today as well, saying: “True to the spirit of one nation living in two states, we consider their loss as ours.”
The prime minister further said: “I am leaving for Türkiye with a message of unwavering solidarity and support for our Turkish brothers and sisters from the people and government of Pakistan.”
Premier Visit Postponeded
Earlier on 8th February Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to quake-hit Turkyie, scheduled for (Wednesday), was postponed at the last moment as Turk Government is busy in the ongoing relief and rescue operations following the devastating earthquake.
According to official sources that the Prime minister was supposed to leave for Turkiye in the morning but the visit has been postponed due to bad weather and as the Turkish leadership’s engaged in the ongoing rehabilitation efforts.
Sources said that Premier Shehbaz would not be able to visit the quake-affected areas as helicopters could not fly during bad weather conditions, while the president and vice president of Turkiye are also engaged in relief activities.
Sources said that visit is expected to be rescheduled and the new dates will be announced later accordingly.
Turkiye, Syria & Iraq quake
A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake jolts Turkey, Syria, and Iraq on Monday leaving a death toll of more than 40,000 meanwhile thousand are still stuck under the wreckage.
The magnitude of the quake was 7.8 which struck in the early darkness of a winter morning, Jolts of the quake were also felt in Cyprus and Lebanon.
The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) said the quake struck at a depth of 10 km (6 miles) near the southern Turkiye’s city of Kahramanmaras, while the EMSC monitoring service said the chance of a tsunami risk was being evaluated after the powerful earthquake.
After a 7.8-powerful Earthquake, another quake of 7.5 Magnitude jolts turkey once again. Rescue teams are put on high alert.
Emergency has been declared all over Turkey.
Condolence
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif telephoned Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the powerful earthquake.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif gave hope to Turkiye President, Premier said that relief teams of Pakistan will reach the quake-hit Turkiye soon. He expressed sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the earthquake and conveyed his deepest condolence to the families of the victims.
Premier said that Pakistan is standing side-by-side with Turkiye and its nationals in a difficult time and Pakistan will provide maximum assistance to cope with the quake disasters same as Turkiye helped Pakistan in its difficult times.
Premier Sharif said that climate change-induced disasters are not limited to a single country or region and the intensity of disasters is gradually increasing.
President Erdoğan thanked PM Sharif for holding a telephone conversation and supporting the Turkiye people. He said that he appreciates the sentiments of the premier and the people of Pakistan.
Moreover, PM Sharif also expressed sorrow over the earthquake disasters in Syria and conveyed condolences to the Syrian government and the families of the quake victims.
Pak Army Rescue Teams
Earlier this week on the instructions of Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir, the Pakistan Army dispatched two contingents; the Urban Search and Rescue Team to participate in relief activities for quake-hit Turkiye and Syria.
According to the details, Pak Army teams comprise Rescue experts, sniffer dogs, a Medical team, Army doctors, nursing staff, technicians, and security officials along with 30 bedded mobile hospitals.
Pak Army teams also carry relief goods including tentage, blankets, edibles, medicines, and others for the earthquake victims in Turkiye. The Rescue Aid contingents have flown to Adana, Turkiye via special Pakistan Air force aircraft, to undertake relief efforts for Turkish people while working in close coordination with the Turkish Government.
Chairman NDMA Lt General Inam Haider Malik dispatched three tons of emergency relief consignment to Turkiye and Syria via PAF C-130.
In a statement, Chairman NDMA Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik said NDMA Team and Pakistan Armed Forces and Federal Government are in constant communication with the diplomatic channels at both ends.
According to the details, Pak Army contingents will stay there till the completion of relief and rescue operations.
