PM leaves for Turkey to extend Pakistan's 'support, solidarity'

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday left for Turkey to extend Pakistan's support and solidarity following the recent earthquake that killed over 40,000 people in regions of Turkey and Syria. "I am leaving for Türkiye with a message of unwavering solidarity and support for our Turkish brothers and sisters from the people and government of Pakistan," the prime minister said in a tweet. He added that Pakistan considers Turkey's loss as its own, "true to the spirit of one nation living in two states". I am leaving for Türkiye with a message of unwavering solidarity and support for our Turkish brothers and sisters from the people and government of Pakistan. True to the spirit of one nation living in two states, we consider their loss as ours. — Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) February 16, 2023 PM Shehbaz was initially scheduled to leave for Ankara on February 7. However, the trip was postponed at the last moment due to bad weather and the ongoing relief and rescue operations in Turkey. According to sources, the premier could not visit the earthquake-affected areas as the helicopter could not fly during bad weather. Further, the Turkish leadership was also engaged in relief activities. The visit was rescheduled and the prime minister has left for Turkey today. Read Pakistan Navy paratroopers unfurl Turkish flag in solidarity with quake victims On Monday, Shehbaz had visited the Turkish embassy in Islamabad to express his condolences to the people of Turkey who have suffered a loss of life and property due to the earthquake. He was accompanied by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Economic Affairs Sardar Ayyaz Sadiq, Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarrar, SAPM Attaullah Tarrar and SAPM Tariq Fatemi. The prime minister had conveyed his condolences to Turkish Ambassador Mehmet Paçaci and had prayed for the victims of the deadly earthquake in Turkey, assuring the Turkish ambassador that the government and people of Pakistan stand in solidarity with the people of Turkey and will continue rescue and relief efforts "until the last affected person is rehabilitated". He also highlighted the relief efforts of Pakistan for the earthquake victims of Turkey. He had recorded his remarks in a condolence book and had thanked the ambassador and the people of Turkey for their outpouring of sympathy and support. The ambassador of Turkey had thanked the prime minister and the people of Pakistan and had expressed that they are touched by the outpouring of sympathy and support from the entire Pakistani nation.

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