MOON Desk: The government and people of Pakistan have received the news of a massive earthquake in Southern Turkiye earlier today, with deep sorrow and anguish.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif spoke to the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to extend our heartfelt condolences to the brotherly Turkish people on the tragic loss of life, and offered all possible support in the relief effort. The Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also spoke to his Turkish counterpart H.E. Mevlut Cavusoglu to offer condolences and express solidarity and reiterated offer of support and assistance.
On the instructions of the Prime Minister, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is mobilizing all available resources including winterized tents, blankets and other critical life-saving supplies. Urban Search and Rescue Teams trained to operate in disaster hit areas are being dispatched with their equipment and medicines.
Our Mission in Ankara remains in constant touch with the relevant Turkish authorities to identify any additional requirement for the Earthquake affected areas.
Pakistan stands in complete solidarity with the brotherly people of Turkiye in the wake of this unprecedented natural calamity. Beyond the immediate relief effort, we will continue to work with Türkiye in the post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction phases.