Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Friday that the federal government has established a Rs10 billion relief fund for earthquake-hit Turkiye and urged people across Pakistan to \u201cgenerously donate\u201d for the victims.
\nSpeaking at a ceremony at an airport in Lahore, from where relief goods are being sent to Turkiye, the premier said that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) will purchase relief items \u2014 such as tents, clothes, blankets and dry food \u2014 from the fund and dispatch them to Turkiye.
\nOfficials and medics said 17,674 people had died in a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Turkey and 3,377 in Syria from Monday\u2019s tremor, bringing the confirmed total to 21,051.
\nIn a media talk alongside Turkish Consul General to Lahore Emir Ozbay, PM Shehbaz said that thousands of people in Turkiye and Syria had died in the deadly earthquake, while millions were rendered homeless.
\n\u201cThe destruction of such magnitude is less seen where parents have lost their children and infants have become orphans [\u2026] there are dreadful visuals everywhere,\u201d he noted.
\nHowever, the prime minister asserted that under the leadership of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the people of Turkiye would emerge out of the crisis. \u201cAnd so will our brothers in Syria.\u201d
\nHe stated that the 220 million people of Pakistan were standing with the people of Turkiye in these testing times.
\n\u201cThe night the earthquake was reported, I called President Erdogan and told him that the people of Pakistan, as brothers and Muslims, will help the quake victims as much as possible.
\n\u201cThe relation of Turkiye and Pakistan goes back to centuries,\u201d PM Shehbaz remarked, promising that the country will never abandon Turkiye.
\nHe recalled that during the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan, Turkiye had stepped up and supported the country until the \u201clast man was moved home\u201d. \u201cToday, we have to move forward with the same passion.\u201d
\nThe premier revealed that an air bridge had already been established between Pakistan and Turkiye through which medical teams and other relief aid were being dispatched to the country.
\nHe said that a Pakistan International Airline (PIA) flight carrying 20 tons of supplies, including winterised tents, will depart on Friday morning while another special flight with 100 tons of relief goods was expected to leave in a couple of hours.
\nAnother 144 tonnes of relief aid will also be sent in the upcoming days.
\n\u201cYesterday, I called the chief ministers of all the provinces and requested them to open centres for aid. They will collect the relief aid and send it to NDMA. Similarly, the donations will be transferred to the Prime Minister\u2019s account.
\n\u201cI have also told them that students in schools across the country should donate Rs10 per child for their Turkish brothers and sisters,\u201d he said, elaborating that pupils in colleges and universities can donate Rs15-Rs20 each.
\nPM Shehbaz added that he had requested religious leaders to pray for the quake victims in mosques across the country today and appeal for donations.
\n\u201cToday, I urge the people of Pakistan, especially businessmen, traders, welfare organisations and philanthropists, to step forward and help the Turkish people,\u201d he appealed, highlighting that this was the time to display the love Pakistan had for Turkiye.
\n\u2018Grateful for Pakistan\u2019s support\u2019
\nSpeaking on the occasion, Turkish Consul General Ozbay said that it was very difficult to describe in words the extent of the calamity that had hit Turkiye in the shape of the earthquake.
\n\u201cI would like also to reiterate that the affection between the people of Pakistan and Turkiye is very strong,\u201d he stated.
\n\u201cOur bilateral relations have a deep-rooted historical background. Our solidarity is unique and special and as a requirement of these strong ties, we would like to see each other next to us during difficult times when there is a need.\u201d
\nOzbay went on to say that today was another occasion when the friendship between the two countries was displayed in its true spirit and thanked PM Shehbaz for the solidarity with Turkiye and the Turkish people.
\n\u201cThe prayer, condolences, message of solidarity and relief efforts of Pakistani brothers and sisters in these difficult times are invaluable for us in relieving the wounds of the tragedy,\u201d the Turkish official expressed.
\n\u201cWe are once again grateful for your support,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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