ANKARA: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has suggested to convene an emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to discuss and decide on an “immediate relief package for the people of Turkey.
وزیراعظم شہباز شریف کی ترکیہ کے شہر آدیامان آمد
وزیراعظم شہباز شریف کا آدیامان میں امدادی سرگرمیوں کا جائزہ
وزیراعظم نے زلزلہ متاثرین کیلئے امدادی سامان ترکیہ حکام کے حوالے کردیا pic.twitter.com/ewoa6a5Vpg
— MM News (@mmnewsdottv) February 17, 2023
In an interview with local media outlet Anadolu, PM Shehbaz Sharif said “the international community must play a role. Because today is Türkiye, but God forbid, tomorrow could be another country. Today, Türkiye requires international support. Tomorrow, someone else may be in desperate need, and we will all pitch in to help.”
“We must do everything we can for the well-being of the people of Türkiye,” he stressed.
PM also said Turkish people raised nearly $6 billion through an aid campaign that was broadcasted on Turkish TV channels, calling it a “remarkable example of generosity, philanthropy, kind-heartedness, and consideration.”
“I think the people of Türkiye have earned the highest respect, not only from the people of Pakistan but globally. So, I think it’s high time that the international community should come forward.”
Earlier, PM Shehbaz Sharif recalled that whenever Pakistan needed assistance, the Turkish government, people, and President Erdogan “went the extra mile to help their brothers and sisters, whether it was an earthquake in 2005, floods in 2010, or floods last year in Pakistan.”
When floods hit Pakistan in 2010, Erdogan personally visited affected areas and Turkish organizations helped with rebuilding efforts, he added.
“And my sister, Madam Emine Erdogan, contributed her bracelet for the flood victims. What else can be the best example of generosity, and the highest level of empathy? It can only be done by brothers and sisters. That is spirit,” the prime minister said.
In this spirit of solidarity, Sharif called on Pakistanis to stand in complete solidarity with Türkiye.
Members of the Pakistani cabinet and parliament also donated a month’s salary to earthquake victims, he added.
During his interview, PM Shehbaz Sharif pledged aid after aid for Turkey, saying “we hope that by the end of this month, we will be able to send something like 1,300 tons of relief goods,” adding that “in March, another 1700 tons and in April, about 600 tons of relief goods to be sent, with the bulk of this being winterized tents.”
He said “so, ever since, we have been able to transport more than 500 tons of relief goods for our Turkish brothers, particularly those affected by these shocks in the south of Türkiye, in the form of winterized tents, blankets, and other relief items, as well as rescue and medical teams.”
