ISLAMABAD: A high-level Turkish delegation reached Pakistan yesterday to express solidarity and extend support after devastating floods in country. Delegation will undertake aerial visit of flood-affected areas of country.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received Turkish Minister for Interior Suleyman Soylu, Turkish Minister for Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change Murat Kurum, chairman of Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management, Director General for Turkish Low-Cost Housing Agency (TOKI) and accompanying delegation in Islamabad. According to a press release, Turkish Interior Minister Soylu conveyed heartfelt condolences over loss of precious lives and destruction of valuable property during recent floods.

He underscored that Turkiye immediately established air and land bridges and “fraternity” to provide relief support to flood victims.  He added that 90,000 masajid in Turkey are offering prayers for Pakistan after Friday prayer and that Turkiye’s relevant institutions and agencies dealing with natural disasters are “ready to provide enhanced support in line with Pakistan’s requirements”. 

Shehbaz expressed his gratitude to President Erdogan for his phone call to offer sympathies over losses due to floods and reaffirm Turkiye’s commitment to extend “all possible support in dealing with this climate-induced calamity”.  Apprising delegation of damage caused by recent floods, prime minister informed them that Pakistan is threatened with food insecurity as millions of crops have been devastated by floods. PM looked forward to Turkiye’s assistance in overcoming challenges caused by massive destruction to country’s infrastructure, loss of people’s livelihoods, food shortage and socio-economic insecurity due to floods.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 03 2022

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