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Rs10bn allocated for quake-hit Turkey, announces PM Shehbaz Sharif

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  • PM Shehbaz says Pakistan will never leave Turkey in these circumstances.
  • Says committee has been formed to send funds to Turkey.
  • Urges people, welfare organisations and businessmen to take part in fund collection drive.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday announced that the federal government has allocated Rs10 billion to help Turkey’s earthquake relief efforts, saying that Pakistan will continue to assist the calamity-hit country every day. 

A devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake wreaked havoc in Turkey and Syria early morning on Monday that has so far claimed about 21,000 lives as hopes of finding more survivors faded.

Speaking at an airport in Lahore where relief goods were being sent for the earthquake victims, the prime minister said Pakistan will never leave Turkey in these circumstances, urging the nation to pray for the victims of the earthquake in Friday prayers today.

The premier said that thousands of people have been killed and wounded in Turkey and Syria and many are searching for their loved ones stuck under the rubble.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in a group photo with Turkish Consul General H.E. Emir Ozbay and others on the occasion of seeing off a cargo plane carrying relief goods for the earthquake victims of Turkiye in Lahore on February 10, 2023. — PMO
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in a group photo with Turkish Consul General H.E. Emir Ozbay and others on the occasion of seeing off a cargo plane carrying relief goods for the earthquake victims of Turkiye in Lahore on February 10, 2023. — PMO

“I believe that the people of Turkey and Syria will come out of this difficulty,” he said, adding that Pakistan assured Turkey of assistance the day when this tragedy took place.

He said that the Turkish president visited Pakistan at the time when the country was hit by heavy flooding and donated millions of dollars to the flood-affected people.

“A Pakistan Army team was sent the day when the earthquake hit Turkey and the dispatchment of the relief goods has begun,” he continued.

He said that goods weighing 100 tonnes are being sent to Turkey in a truck today. 

The prime minister urged the people, welfare organisations and businessmen to take part in the fund collection drive. He also requested the chief ministers to help in this regard.

“A committee has been formed to send funds to Turkey. 1,486 tonnes of relief goods are being sent to Turkey and Syria,” he added.

The premier said that 13 centres have been established in Pakistan for the collection of funds, adding that donations will also be collected in educational institutions across the country.

Earlier this week, Pakistan established a relief fund to help the victims of a deadly earthquake in Turkey. 

“To help the victims of the earthquake in Turkey at this difficult hour, PM Shehbaz Sharif has decided to establish PM Relief Fund,” Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said Tuesday after a plane load of relief goods and rescue team from Pakistan reached Turkey.

The minister said that the federal cabinet has announced to contribute one month’s salary while the PM has appealed to the philanthropists to extend help.

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Zaidong, the ambassador, said China will fully back Pakistan’s counterterrorism operations.

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Reaffirming on Thursday that China will provide Pakistan with unwavering support in its fight against terrorism is Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong.

In an interview that was broadcast on television, the ambassador promised to cooperate with Pakistan and said that China will protect the interests and safety of the citizens of the two friendly nations.

Zaidong underscored that efforts to undermine the two nations’ bilateral relationship would be thwarted by China’s cooperation with Pakistan.

Also, he emphasized how crucial China-Pakistan relations have become strategically given the changing nature of the world.

In highlighting the transformative impact of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the ambassador reaffirmed his nation’s commitment to seeing it through.

In addition to creating thousands of employment, he said, “the CPEC has facilitated significant advancements in power generation and transportation infrastructure with over $25 billion in direct investments and substantial infrastructure development.”

Zaidong stressed the value of sharing ideas and knowledge between Pakistan and China, acknowledging their shared security objectives.

Stressing that both countries have a common future, he envisioned their partnership having a greater social impact.

Concerning the terrorist attack on Chinese nationals [working on the Dasu dam], the ambassador expressed gratitude to the Pakistani people for their condolences and sympathy and commended the government for its prompt action.

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Mild rain in Lahore improves the weather

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Early on Friday, light rain in the province capital Lahore and its surrounding areas improved the weather.

But rain also led to power outages in several areas of Lahore, as multiple feeders of the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) blew, leaving whole sections of the city without power.

Details show that rain was observed in a number of locations throughout the city, including Model Town, Gulberg, Garden Town, Mall Road, Lakshmi Chowk, Gulshan Ravi, Jail Road, and Sanda.

However, the Met Office has forecasted an additional day of rain for the city during the next 24.

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The government will begin coordinated action against lawbreakers in the Katcha region

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On Friday, Mohsin Naqvi, the interior minister, announced that the government would begin a coordinated operation in the Katcha region to eradicate the miscreants for good.

He stated that collaborative efforts in the Katcha region will make use of contemporary technologies, including drones.

According to Mohsin Naqvi, all security agencies, including the police, should make sure that SOPs are fully implemented in order to protect Chinese nationals living in Pakistan.

He declared that any carelessness in this respect will not be accepted at all while presiding over a meeting to review the National Action Plan’s implementation at NACTA headquarters in Islamabad.

According to Naqvi, failure to follow the SOPs for the safety of foreign nationals will result in severe disciplinary action.

“We have to outfit our departments with cutting-edge technology to eradicate terrorism,” stated the interior minister. He declared that the provinces will receive all the assistance from the federation in this area.

Anti-state forces will be permanently driven out of the Katcha region, according to Naqvi. The interior minister expressed satisfaction with the anti-smuggling operations and stated that all ministries need to make sure that smugglers face stern legal action.

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