Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan would continue to provide maximum assistance to the Turkiye in its post-earthquake rehabilitation and reconstruction phases, and for now the focus will be on providing winterized and fireproof to Turkiye, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
The prime minister expressed these views as he handed over the relief goods mainly the winterized tents to the Turkish officials, during his visit to Adiayman city of Turkiye on Friday.
A special aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force transported relief goods to Adiyaman city, the most-affected area in southeast Turkiye that suffered heavy damage from the earthquake of February 6.
The prime minister interacted with the victims of the earthquake who lost their families and conveyed to them sympathies on behalf of the Pakistani nation.
Shehbaz Sharif on the occasion assured the Turkish government and the affected people that Pakistan would extend every possible cooperation to the brotherly country to cope with the devastation.
He termed Turkiye as the friend and brotherly country of Pakistan and hoped that the country would overcome the challenging times with resilience.
He also met the rescue teams from Pakistan that took part in the search operation.
Earlier on his arrival at Adiyaman airport, the prime minister was received by Turkish trade minister Mehmet Mus, Minister for Communication Adil Ismailoglu, Governor of Adiyaman Mahmut Cuhadar, President of Turk-Pakistan Friendship Group in the Turkish parliament Ali Shaheen, and senior officials.
The prime minister arrived in Turkiye’s capital Ankara on Thursday on a two-day visit in a special gesture of solidarity with the Turkish nation.
The federal cabinet on Thursday also decided to send 20,000 quilts to the earthquake victims and directed the Finance Department to release Rs.50 million for the purpose.
Pakistan mobilized relief assistance for both Turkiye and Syria in the wake of the massive earthquake. The country sent an 85-member urban search and rescue team, a 10-member search and rescue team, and a 10-member medical team to support the relief efforts.
Interview with TRT Television
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said that considering the needs of the quake-ravaged Turkish people, Pakistan would now focus on the provision of winterised and fireproof tents to Turkiye.
The prime minister, who is currently visiting Turkiye to solidarize with the distressed Turkish people, said Pakistan had earlier been supplying blankets, food stuff and other relief goods.
However, the prime minister said after his discussion with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, his government had changed the strategy to merely focus on the supply of winter tents.
In an interview with Turkish TRT television during his visit to the quake-affected area, the prime minister said he would hold a meeting with the tent manufacturers of Pakistan and devise a plan to ensure speedy manufacturing of tents to provide a temporary shelter to the Turkish brethren.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said he had assigned the task to Chairman of National Disaster Management Authority and assured that the tents would be dispatched by land, air as well as sea routes.
He said the people of Pakistan and Turkiye enjoyed historical relationship marking Islamic brotherhood and recalled the unprecedented Turkish support to Pakistan after it was hit by an earthquake.
He said being a Muslim brotherly nation, Pakistan was obliged to support its Turkish brothers and sisters and expressed the hope that both Pakistan and Turkiye would jointly cope with the pervading challenge.