ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday met with President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara and conveyed heartfelt condolences on behalf of the entire Pakistani nation over the loss of precious lives and the widespread damage caused by the earthquake.
During their tete-a-tete as well as during the delegation level talks, the Pakistani premier extended heartfelt condolences to President Erdogan and the Turkish nation on the tragic loss of thousands of precious lives and massive damage to the infrastructure as a result of devastating earthquakes.
President of Turkiye H.E Recep Tayyip Erdogan receives Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif upon his arrival in Turkish Presidency. Ankara, 16th of February, 2023.#PakistanStandsWithTurkiye pic.twitter.com/vmOLeiwWbm
— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) February 16, 2023
President Erdogan thanked the prime minister for Pakistan’s strong and steadfast support to Türkiye in the wake of the devastating earthquake. He reaffirmed that the resolute Turkish nation will emerge from this natural calamity with greater strength and determination than ever, the Radio Pakistan reported.
PM H.E Shehbaz Sharif @CMShehbaz was received by President H.E Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at Presidential Complex in Ankara today.
PM is on a visit to Turkiye to express solidarity with Turkish brethren in wake of devastating #TurkiyeQuakes.#PakistanStandsWithTurkiye pic.twitter.com/hrO9IVk5e1
— Pakistan Embassy Türkiye (@PakinTurkiye) February 16, 2023
PM Shehbaz is visiting Türkiye as a special gesture to express Pakistan’s solidarity and support to Türkiye in the wake of the massive earthquakes in Türkiye.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has arrived in Turkiye today to express solidarity with Turkish brethren on the loss of precious lives and devastating damage to infrastructure as a result of massive earthquake that struck Turkiye on 6th February 2023#PakistanStandsWithTurkiye pic.twitter.com/DbXg3jRqxY
— Pakistan Embassy Türkiye (@PakinTurkiye) February 16, 2023
He plans to visit earthquake affected areas and interact with Pakistani rescue and recovery teams on the ground.
In a meeting with my brother H.E. President @RTErdogan, I expressed profound condolences to him on behalf of people & govt of 🇵🇰. I assured him of our steadfast support to 🇹🇷. I am confident that under President's leadership, Türkiye will emerge from this catastrophe stronger.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) February 16, 2023
The death toll from the Turkey-Syria earthquakes is nearing 42,000. Turkish authorities say 36,187 people have been killed in the country. The Syrian government and the United Nations say more than 5,800 people have died in Syria.
The United Nations has launched an appeal for $1 billion in aid to help victims in Turkiye. The world body said in a statement that the funds would provide humanitarian relief for three months to 5.2 million people, allowing aid organisations to “rapidly scale up vital support”.
