PM praises Pak rescue teams for humanitarian services in Turkiye, Syria

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Wednesday praised the humanitarian efforts of Pakistan's search and rescue teams sent to support and aid the earthquake-affected people of Turkey and Syria.
According to the 24News HD TV channel, the PM addressed a ceremony to honour Pakistan’s search and rescue teams in Islamabad. He distributed certificates of appreciation among the rescue team members. 
The prime minister said they had convened to thank Pakistan's search and rescue troops because they had worked tirelessly in Turkiye and Syria and given outstanding services. Pakistan's 220 million citizens wished them well and thanked them for their humanitarian efforts.
He said Pakistani personnel did the rescue effort and saved dozens of persons buried under the rubble with hard work, dedication, and professionalism. He said people of Turkey will remember Pak teams services for the rest of their lives.
Shehbaz Sharif recalled meeting personnel working in the quake-ravaged province of Turkiye during his visit.
The PM said he wants to thank and appreciate you on behalf of himself and the administration since you have reinforced the brotherly and fraternal connections with these two countries, and infused vitality and affection in these relations with Pak rescue teams' outstanding services.
The prime minister observed that the people of Turkiye were looking towards them not because they had a dearth of resources but due to the deep-seated humanitarian and religious bonds spanning over centuries.
The relationship dated back to centuries and cemented further with the Khilafat Movement, he added.
The prime minister said the members of the rescue teams were the ‘heroes of the entire nation’.
He opined that philanthropists, members of the NGOs (non-governmental organisations) and charity organizations, and the people of Pakistan had shown generosity for the quake-affected people of Turkiye and Syria with huge contributions.
The prime minister also commended the NDMA for its main role in the dispatch of relief assistance and goods, besides appreciating the contributions of Pakistan International Airlines and Pakistan Air Force.
He mentioned that Pakistan had dispatched tons of relief assistance and the most needed items, including tents, blankets, food, etc. An order for manufacturing 50,000 winterized tents was also placed which would be sent soon.
He said the Federal Cabinet members, parliamentarians, and government officials had also committed their salaries for the relief fund.
The prime minister also distributed certificates of appreciation among the members of the rescue teams. The federal ministers were also present on the occasion.
Earlier, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik lauded the efforts of the teams which worked in the adverse weather conditions and rescued precious lives.