Pakistan pledges to make every effort to assist Türkiye in its difficult time

By Busra Nur Cakmak

ANKARA (AA) – Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Friday that his country will make every effort to provide necessary assistance to Türkiye after powerful twin earthquakes struck the country's southern regions.

Sharif told reporters in Adiyaman, one of the provinces hardest hit by the magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 earthquakes last week, that "220 million Pakistanis have sent this message for you that we are like your family."

"The damage is colossal," he said, referring to the devastation caused by earthquakes in Turkish cities.

“It is beyond anybody's imagination. But, I'm confident that under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, my dear brother, and his government, as well as the people of Türkiye, who are known for their bravery, fortitude, and, of course, hard work, you will come out of this crisis very soon,” he asserted.

Thousands of children will require schools, families, and homes, he said, adding that he is proud of the Turkish people and ministers who are working tirelessly to make such things happen soon.

"We are not going to leave you… like you have never left Pakistanis alone," the prime minister said, alluding to Türkiye's assistance in the 2005 earthquake, the 2010 floods, and the floods last year.

Sharif said Erdogan personally visited flood victims in Pakistan in 2010, and that Turkish First Lady Emine Erdogan collected aid and donated her own bracelet.

“How can we ever forget this great act of generosity and kindness by the Turkish leadership and the Turkish people, Turkish businessman, philanthropist,” he remarked.

“This is the story of these two nations and it predates not only Khilafat Movement back in the early 20th century, but much before, that simple reason that we are two Muslim families. We share the same values,” he added.

Sharif had said on Thursday, following his meeting with Erdogan, that the aid would now be focused on winterized, flammable tents.

He said he would meet with tent manufacturers in Pakistan as soon as he returned, and that he would ask them to produce enough tents for earthquake victims.

"It is our responsibility. It comes from our soul, from our heart. Because even though we speak different languages, we understand each other very well," he said.