ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in the wake of deadly earthquake in Turkiye dispatched another relief consignment of 16.5 tonnes to Turkiye through PIA Boeing-777 from Islamabad International Airport here on Friday.
Federal Minister for Energy, Khurram Dastgir, Federal Minister for SAFRON, Talha Mahmood, and State Minister for Poverty Alleviation & Social Safety, Senator Faisal Kareem Kundi witnessed the departure ceremony of the flight, a news release said.
This consignment contains large family-sized winterised tents as per current need of quake affectees in Turkiye.
On the occasion, the Federal Ministers expressed their sincere condolences for loss of precious lives due to the earthquake across Turkiye on February 6. They reiterated that the government and the people of Turkiye had always helped Pakistan in every difficult time, particularly in the recent massive floods and this was time to reciprocate with same passion.
On directions of Prime Minister, three flights carrying relief goods have been dispatched to the Quake-Hit Turkiye today. First flight from Pakistan was sent off by Prime Minister himself from Lahore Airport through special Turkish Military Aircraft -A 400. Another flight through special PAF IL-78 will be seen off by Chairman NDMA Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik from Lahore Airport.
The NDMA has arranged and dispatched tonnes of relief goods along with Army and Rescue 1122 teams to Turkiye so far. “More relief assistance has been planned through airlift, road and marine routes for our brothers and sisters in Syria and Türkiye in coming days,” it said.
Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan would extend every possible support to Turkiye in the wake of catastrophic earthquake that killed and injured thousands and urged the people to donate to the Prime Minister’s relief fund.
Talking to media here at the Lahore airport, the prime minister handed over 100 tonnes relief goods including food, medicines and winterized tents for the people of Turkiye.
Shehbaz Sharif said the people of Pakistan stand in solidarity with their brethren in distress and would do everything to help them rebuild their lives.
He recalled that how Turkiye had established an air bridge with Pakistan after the horrific 2005 earthquake that killed around 80,000 people in Azad Kashmir.
The prime minister was earlier briefed about the collection and dispatch of the relief goods from Pakistan to Turkiye and Syria. He was informed that the NDMA was coordinating and rushing relief goods from various cities of Pakistan to the quake affected areas.
“We would leave no stone unturned to help the Turkish brethren … we have never seen such catastrophe in a century and can feel the pain and loss of the people of Turkiye,” the prime minister said and likened the people of Turkiye and Pakistan as “two hearts and one soul.”
He recalled that the wife of President Erdogan even had donated her precious necklace to help the people of Pakistan who lost their homes and livelihood after the 2005 earthquake.
He said his government had decided to turn the ongoing rescue and relief efforts for Turkiye into a nationwide support campaign.
In this regard, he said, the support of the business community, religious scholars and educational institutions would also be sought.
The prime minister said an air bridge has already been set up to transport relief good to Turkiye and the trucks of National Logistic Cell will carry 100 tonnes relief goods to Turkey via Iran.
A PIA 777 aircraft earlier in the day carried relief goods to Turkiye from Lahore, while 30 tonnes would be airlifted from Islamabad today. Another batch of 40 tonnes relief goods will be sent from Lahore on Saturday.
The prime minister made an impassioned appeal to the people, the business community and the philanthropic organisations to gear up their efforts and send winterized tents, blankets, food and clothing for those who lost everything in the 7.8 magnitude earthquake.
He asked the people to send their donations to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for the earthquake in Turkiye. He said it was bitter cold in the earthquake affected areas and urgent help was required to save precious lives.
He said the search and rescue teams from Pakistan were already in Turkiye and lending their help in trying to rescue people trapped in the rubble. He said that he has also spoken to the chief ministers and requested them to take ownership of national relief campaign for earthquake-hit people in Turkiye. He said he has also asked the Minister for education for a campaign in the schools to collect donations from the students.
He also lauded caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi for his quick response in the collection and dispatch of the relief goods.
The Turkish Consul General Emir Ozbay appreciated the expression of solidarity of the people and the government of Pakistan and said the two countries were tied together with strong bonds.
