Setting up a relief fund for the earthquake-hit people of Turkey, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday appealed to Pakistanis to donate generously in the Fund, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the federal cabinet held in Islamabad.

The meeting expressed deep grief and sorrow over the colossal loss of lives and properties in an earthquake in both Turkey and neighbouring Syria.

Members of the cabinet, on the occasion, announced to donate their one-month salary to the prime minister’s Fund.

It was decided that one-day salary of the government servants, of grade-18 to grade-22, would be donated to the Fund.

Speaking on the occasion, the prime minister said that Pakistan and Turkey were brotherly countries. “The country wholeheartedly participated in rescue and relief activities in the flood-hit areas of Pakistan,” he recalled, adding that Pakistan would not leave their Turk brothers and sisters alone. “I will fly to Turkey tomorrow to see the devastation caused by the quake by myself,” he told the cabinet.

PM Shehbaz said besides relief goods, he had also dispatched teams to the calamity-hit country to assist the Turkish authorities in rescue operation. “Apart from that, teams of doctors and paramedics have also been sent to the affected areas, while more aid will be sent in the coming days,” the prime minister informed.

He told the cabinet about his telephonic conversation with President Tayyip Erdogan after the news of the natural disaster broke.

The federal cabinet, on the occasion, prayed to The Almighty Allah to rest the departed souls in eternal peace, and grant patience to the bereaved families.

The cabinet also prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the incident.

Reporter: Awais Kiani