Pakistan stands by Turkey: PM

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday visited the Turkish embassy in Islamabad to express his condolences to the people of Turkey who have suffered loss of life and property due to the recent earthquake.

During the visit to the Turkish embassy, Prime Minister Shehbaz was accompanied by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Economic Affairs Sardar Ayyaz Sadiq, Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarrar, SAPM Attaullah Tarrar and SAPM Tariq Fatemi.

The prime minister conveyed his condolences to Turkish Ambassador Mehmet Paçaci and prayed for the victims of the deadly earthquake in Turkey. PM Sharif also assured the Turkish ambassador that the government and people of Pakistan stand in strong solidarity with the people of Turkey and that they will continue their rescue and relief efforts until the last affected person is rehabilitated.

The prime minister also highlighted the relief efforts of Pakistan for the earthquake victims of Turkey. He recorded his remarks in a condolence book and thanked the ambassador and the people of Turkey for their outpouring of sympathy and support.

The ambassador of Turkey thanked the prime minister and the people of Pakistan and expressed that they are touched by the outpouring of sympathy and support from the entire Pakistani nation.

The earthquake, which struck last week in Turkey and Syria, has caused a death toll of over 35,000 people and left a trail of devastation. Despite one week passing since the 7.8-magnitude tremor, Turkish media reported that a handful of people are still being pulled from the rubble, and the survivors are facing increasingly desperate conditions due to the lack of hygiene, toilets, and water.

Pakistan has also despatched its army’s search and rescue team for assistance in the relief efforts. In 120 hours of hectic efforts, the Pakistan Army – besides rescuing more than six people – recovered the bodies of 80 people and handed them over to their heirs.

Two other international search and rescue groups from Pakistan were among those that brought relief to the residents of Adiyaman, one of the 10 provinces jolted by Monday's powerful tremors.

The international media recognised Pakistan Army’s contribution to the relief operation in Turkiye, saying that it won the hearts of the Turkish people.