Turkish Prime Minister Tayyib Recep Erdogan on Thursday expressed full support to help Pakistan overcome the impact of the October 8 earthquake.
After meeting Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz at the Prime Minister House, he told reporters, Turkey would play its due role in the gigantic process of reconstruction and rehabilitation of the quake-hit areas.
He said Turkey would provide assistance worth $150 million to Pakistan, which would include $100 million in cash and the rest in kind. "Turkey mobilised all its units soon after the quake to help Pakistan in this difficult time," he said.
The Turkish leader said that his country would provide assistance to Pakistan in constructing houses for the earthquake-affected people.
He said 50,000 tonnes of flour, 25,000 tonnes of sugar and huge quantity of cooking oil would be shipped to Pakistan next month for the people devastated by the tremor.
Turkey would continue sending relief goods to Pakistan while goods through 12 flights had already been delivered to the country, he said.
He said that as winter was fast approaching Turkey was trying to send tents and blankets. "One million blankets would be sent to Pakistan very soon, while supply of tents would continue as available in the market," he added.
The Turkish prime minister also assured support for constructing day care hospitals for conducting minor operations helping the women in family state and providing medical treatment to the children.
Turkey will also help Pakistan in setting up elementary school in the affected areas, he added.
Referring to his country's experience of dealing with such calamities, he said that Turkey would provide technical assistance to Pakistan in rehabilitation and reconstruction projects.
He said Turkey had been experiencing severe quakes for the last 10 years, the latest to come was two days ago which fortunately did not result in any loss of lives.
"Turkey and its people deeply feel your pain and anguish in their hearts and pray for early recovery of the wounded," he added.
The Turkish prime minister particularly mentioned the enthusiasm shown by their people, especially the Turkish students, who donated for their brothers in these trying times.
"Some of the students borrowed money to donate for their Pakistani brothers," he added.
President of Social Residential Agency of Turkey, who accompanied Prime Minister Erdogan, will visit the affected areas on Friday and prepare a report to see how his country could help Pakistan in reconstruction efforts.
Shaukat thanked the Turkish people for their wholehearted support and said the visit of Prime Minister Erdogan at this difficult time demonstrates the close ties between the two countries.
He briefed him about the massive relief efforts Pakistan was undertaking with the help of the international community and said that more than 50,000 people have lost their lives with tens of thousands others rendered homeless.
"Turkey and Pakistan have stood by each other in all difficult times and they are again together in this present catastrophe," he added.
The prime minister thanked the Turkish government for sending food, blankets, tents, medical aid and equipment to help in the rescue and relief efforts.
"The people of Pakistan will always remember the Turkish assistance in this difficult time," he added.
Shaukat said he discussed with the Turkish prime minister assistance in reconstruction and rehabilitation process.
He praised the leadership of Prime Minister Erdogan under which Turkey has made tremendous progress, particularly in the economic sector.
He expressed Pakistan's support for Turkey in its bid to have membership of the European Union.
Earlier, both the prime ministers held one-on-one meeting for more than half an hour before their aides joined them for formal discussion.
Shaukat also hosted an Iftar-cum-dinner for the visiting dignitary and his entourage members.
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