PM Shehbaz Sharif sets up relief fund for Turkiye quake victims

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday ordered the establishment of a relief fund to support victims of the deadly earthquake in Turkiye that has claimed over 3,000 lives.

The confirmed death toll across the two countries has soared above 5,000 after a swarm of strong tremors near the Turkey-Syria border — the largest of which measured at a massive 7.8-magnitude.

In a tweet, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said the cabinet will donate one month’s salary to the fund. She further said the premier has appealed to the philanthropists to extend help.

Pakistan dispatches humanitarian aid

Pakistan sent two aircraft carrying a 51-member search and and relief goods to Turkey to provide assistance in rescue operations.

Pakistan International

Airlines plane carrying 50 people and 15 tonnes of assistance left for Turkiye today. A C-130 flight carrying 15 tonnes of humanitarian aid from Lahore also left for Istanbul. The assistance include winter tents, blankets, and other essential items.

From February 8, every day on a PIA flight 15 tonnes of humanitarian assistance will be sent from Islamabad and Lahore to Istanbul and Syria.

Meanwhile, Chairman NDMA Lt General Inam Haider Malik dispatched three tons of emergency relief consignment to Turkiye and Syria through PAF C-130.

PM Shehbaz to visit Turkey

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will pay a visit to the earthquake-hit Turkiye on Wednesday (February 8), announced information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb.

The minister shared the news on Twitter, saying: “Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will leave for Ankara tomorrow morning to offer his condolences to the government and people of Turkey over the deadly earthquake.”

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