- Stresses world community including OIC, UN should support Turkish people
- Describes ties between Pakistan, Turkiye as “two souls and one heart”
ADIYAMAN: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said the earthquake in Turkiye was a wake-up call to the international community which should come up to the rescue of the quake-hit nation.
The prime minister, in an interview with the Turkish TRT television channel during his visit to the quake-ravaged areas, said the international community, including the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the United Nations, should support the Turkish people.
“This is my message to the world, including the OIC and the United Nations. This is not politics. Today is question of survival,” he remarked.
He said the earthquake had killed thousands of people, besides causing colossal losses of property.
”میری عالمی برادری، او آئی سی، اقوامِ متحدہ اور تمام انسانی ہمدردی کی تنظیموں سے اپیل ہے کہ ترکیہ کے لوگوں کی مدد کیلئے اپنا بھرپور کردار ادا کریں“
~ وزیرِ اعظم شہباز شریف#PakistanStandsWithTürkiye 🇵🇰🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/vEaEVtwtF0
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 17, 2023
The prime minister said no doubt Turkiye would do all possible for the rehabilitation of the quake-hit people but no amount of resources could bring the loved ones back.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said he was there to convey condolences over the destruction caused by the earthquake as Pakistan and Turkiye were “two souls and one heart”.
Earlier in an interaction with the media, the prime minister said considering the needs of the quake-ravaged Turkish people, Pakistan would now focus on the provision of winterised and fireproof tents to Turkiye.
He said Pakistan had been supplying blankets, foodstuff, and other relief goods. However, after his discussion with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, his government had changed its strategy to focus on the supply of winter tents.
وزیرِ اعظم کی آدیامان میں پاکستانی ریسکیو ٹیموں سے بھی ملاقات۔
وزیرِ اعظم نے پاک فوج اور ریسکیو 1122 کے اہلکاروں کی امدادی کاروائیوں کو سراہا۔#PakistanStandsWithTürkiye 🇵🇰🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/plKkoymXDm
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 17, 2023
He said after his return to Pakistan, he would hold a meeting with the tent manufacturers of Pakistan and devise a plan to ensure the speedy manufacturing of tents to provide temporary shelter to the Turkish brethren.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said he had assigned the task to the National Disaster Management Authority chairman 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 a 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
‘Two-day solidarity visit completed’
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday left here for his homeland on completion of a two-day visit to Turkiye to convey condolences to the Turkish people after a strong earthquake caused massive loss of life and property.
Besides meeting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the prime minister also visited the earthquake-ravaged city of Adiyaman where he interacted with the quake victims as well as the rescue workers.
At the airport, the prime minister was seen off by Turkish Trade Minister Mehmet Mus, Transport Minister Adil Karaismailoglu, Adiyaman Governor Mahmut Çuhadar, President of Turkiye Pakistan Friendship Group in Turkish Parliament Ali Shahin and Turkish diplomatic authorities.
