Pakistan has established a Rs. 10 billion earthquake relief fund for Turkiye
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) would purchase relief materials from the fund and send them to Turkiye, according to the premier, who was speaking at a ceremony at an airport in Lahore from where aid will being delivered to that country.
Officials and medical personnel said that 17,674 fatalities from a 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Turkey and 3,377 fatalities from the tremor on Monday were confirmed, bringing the overall toll to 21,051.
PM Shehbaz and Emir Ozbay, the Turkish consul general in Lahore, said in a media interview that the terrible earthquake had killed thousands of people in Turkey and Syria and left millions homeless.
He said, "There are horrible sights everywhere. The destruction of such magnitude is less witnessed where parents have lost their children and infants have become orphaned.
The prime minister argued that the Turkiye populace would overcome the situation with the help of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. And so will our Syrian brethren."
He said that during these trying times, the 220 million people of Pakistan were supporting the Turkiye people.
"The night the earthquake was announced, I called President Erdogan and assured him that Pakistanis, who are Muslims and brothers, will do everything in their power to aid the quake victims."
PM Shehbaz said, "The relationship of Turkiye and Pakistan stretches back to millennia. Pakistan would never desert Turkiye."
He recounted how Turkiye had helped Pakistan after the earthquake there in 2005, up until the "last man was brought home." "Today, we must advance with the same fervour."
The prime minister disclosed that an air bridge between Pakistan and Turkey had already been built, allowing for the transfer of medical teams and other humanitarian supplies to the nation.
According to him, a special flight carrying 100 tonnes of relief supplies is scheduled to take off in a few hours, while another flight carrying 20 tonnes of supplies, including winterized tents, would depart on Friday morning from Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
In the next days, an additional 144 tonnes of humanitarian supplies will be delivered.
"I phoned the chief ministers of every province yesterday and asked them to open help centres. They will gather the supplies and deliver them to NDMA. The donations will also be put on the Prime Minister's account in a similar manner."
He continued, "I've also instructed them that children in schools all throughout the country should pay Rs. 10 per child for their Turkish brothers and sisters," adding that students in colleges and universities can contribute Rs. 15 to Rs. 20 per person.
PM Shehbaz continued by saying that he had asked religious leaders to conduct prayers for the earthquake victims today in mosques all around the nation and to make a contribution appeal.
He made the request, stating that now was the time to show how much Pakistan loved Turkiye: "Today, I encourage the people of Pakistan, especially merchants, traders, welfare organisations, and philanthropists, to step up and help the Turkish people."
Grateful for Pakistan's support
Speaking on the occasion, Turkish Consul General Ozbay remarked that the magnitude of the disaster that had befallen Turkiye in the form of the earthquake was very difficult to put into words.
He continued, "I would also like to reaffirm the tremendous affection between the people of Pakistan and Turkiye.
Our bilateral relationships have a rich historical foundation. We would like to have each other by our sides when we are in need through trying times because of how important and unique our solidarity is."
Ozbay continued by thanking PM Shehbaz for his support of Turkiye and the Turkish people and stating that today was another instance in which the relationship between the two countries was shown in its true form.
The Turkish official said, "In these trying times, the prayer, condolences, message of solidarity, and relief efforts of Pakistani brothers and sisters are vital for us in alleviating the wounds of the catastrophe."
We appreciate your help once more, he continued.
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