First consignment of relief items for the earthquake affectees of Turkey has been sent by the Punjab government by a special plane. Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif saw off the special team carrying relief items at Lahore Airport on Saturday. Leader of Opposition in National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Senator Pervaiz Rashid, Senior Advisor Sirdar Zulfiqar Ali Khosa and Advisor Raja Ishfaq Sarwar were also present on the occasion.
Talking on this occasion, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that due to recent earthquake in east Turkey, hundreds of precious lives have been lost and a large number of people injured, upon which we are deeply shocked. He said that entire Pakistani nation is standing with their Turkish brethren in this hour of trial. He said that Pakistan and Turkey are very close to each other. He said that we have the same feelings and sentiments, which our Turkish brethren have in this hour of distress.
He said that Turkey had conveyed a message through its embassies all over the world that it does not need foreign assistance. However, the Chief Minister said that he contacted the Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and he requested them that they should not consider Pakistan as part of the world but consider it as a part of Turkey and also give us an opportunity to serve our affected brethren in this hour of need, upon which they agreed.
He said that keeping in view the winter season in Turkey, a special team led by Provincial Minister Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor has left for Turkey with first consignment of 135 big tents whereas an advance team headed by Director General Provincial Disaster Management Authority has also reached Turkey. He said that Turkey is sincere friend and brother of Pakistan, which always shared our grief and helped us actively in every hour of trial.
The Chief Minister said that the way Turkish brethren took part in the relief activities and rehabilitation work during the last year's flood in Punjab could never be forgotten. He said that Turkey sent medicines, tents, and doctors, whereas its industrialists and traders set up special camps and even they also shared the Eid joys with flood affectees. He prayed that may Allah Almighty rest the departed souls in eternal peace and early recovery to the injured. He said that the second consignment of relief items would soon be sent to Turkey under the supervision of Senior Advisor Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa.