Pakistan sets up air bridge for relief supply to quake-hit Turkiye, says PM Shehbaz

'We would leave no stone unturned to help the Turkish brethren,' he says at Lahore airport

LAHORE (APP) – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Friday an air bridge had been set up to transport relief goods to Turkiye in the wake of catastrophic earthquake that killed and injured thousands.

He expressed the view while talking to media at the Lahore airport where he handed over 100 tonnes relief goods including food, medicines and winterized tents for the people of Turkiye. Sharif announced the trucks of National Logistic Cell would carry 100 tonnes relief goods to Turkey via Iran.

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 premier said Pakistan would extend every possible support to Turkiye, adding that the people of Pakistan stood in solidarity with their brethren in distress and would do everything to help them rebuild their lives.

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. 

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.

Read More: Rescues provide glimmer of hope among Turkiye quake ruins as toll tops 20,000

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 Council General appreciated the expression of solidarity of the people and the government of Pakistan and said the two countries were tied together with strong bonds.