ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN – In response to the deadly earthquake in Turkey, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken action to provide support to the victims. The PM has decided to establish a relief fund and the federal cabinet has announced a contribution of one month’s salary. In addition, the Prime Minister has appealed to philanthropists to extend their support.
Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb spoke about the Prime Minister’s decision on Tuesday, saying “To help the victims of the earthquake in Turkey at this difficult hour, PM Shehbaz Sharif has decided to establish PM Relief Fund.”
Pakistan has also dispatched a 51-member search and rescue team and relief goods to Turkey to provide assistance in the rescue operations. The Pakistan Air Force sent two aircraft, a C-130 Hercules and a second plane carrying winterized tents and blankets, which has taken off from Lahore. The PAF stated that the C-130 Hercules aircraft has already arrived in Istanbul with rescue team members and blankets from PAF Base, Nur Khan. The Foreign Office spokesperson spoke about the effort, saying “The PAF aircraft is carrying relief goods from the people of Pakistan for the earthquake-affected brethren of Turkiye. The transport fleet of the Pakistan Air Force has always been at the forefront to respond to natural disasters and calamities both inland and abroad.”
Additionally, the Pakistan government has also sent a 30-bed makeshift hospital and necessary medicines for the victims. A third plane is also set to leave for Turkey in the coming days.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will also be traveling to Turkey on February 8th to offer his condolences to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the people of Turkey. Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb shared the news on Twitter, saying “Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will leave for Ankara tomorrow morning, he will express his condolences to the Turkish president and to the people of Turkey over the destruction caused by the earthquake and the loss of life.”
