Ankara – Pakistan’s prime minister plans to meet with tent manufacturers in his country in order to provide more shelter to people in southern Türkiye, where millions have been displaced by last week’s massive twin earthquakes.
Shehbaz Sharif, who was in Türkiye after the magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 earthquakes that struck the country on Feb. 6 and affected more than 13 million people across 11 provinces, told Anadolu in an exclusive interview that when he returns to Pakistan on Friday, he will meet with manufacturers and task them to produce winterized tents “as quickly as possible with the highest quality.”
“And they will have to honor their commitments because our brothers and sisters in Türkiye are in dire need of tents,” Sharif pledged.
“We hope that by the end of this month, we will be able to send something like 1,300 tons of relief goods,” he said, adding that “in March, another 1700 tons and in April, about 600 tons of relief goods to be sent, with the bulk of this being winterized tents.”
Sharif said Pakistan and Türkiye “are like two souls and one heart,” adding that he immediately called Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan when he heard about the earthquakes to offer condolences and whatever help his country needs during this difficult time.
“But this devastation is beyond imagination. It’s a colossal loss. So, no amount of aid would be enough,” said Sharif.
“So, ever since, we have been able to transport more than 500 tons of relief goods for our Turkish brothers, particularly those affected by these shocks in the south of Türkiye, in the form of winterized tents, blankets, and other relief items, as well as rescue and medical teams,” he said.
“And I’m glad to share with you that our team was able to rescue at least 14 people from the rubble… Alhamdulillah, they’re alive,” he added.
Sharif said Pakistan and Türkiye are like a family and “we will live and die together. That is a spirit. That is the motivation. That is the relationship, and it goes back to centuries.”
Source: Anadolu
