ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan has condoled with Turkey over the loss of precious lives in an earthquake that struck its eastern Elazig province on Friday, the Dispatch News Desk (DND) news agency reported.
Reportedly 18 persons were killed and more than 500 injured besides around 30 further remain trapped in the wreckage of toppled buildings in eastern Turkey.
In their separate statements on Saturday, the President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan and the Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi convened their deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the Turkish leadership and the people on behalf of the Pakistani people over the loss of several lives and injuries in the earthquake.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this natural calamity, and we wish a speedy recovery to those injured,” they said.
They said that the entire Pakistani nation equally shares the grief of their Turkish brothers and sisters in this hour of trial.
“As always, the people of Pakistan equally share the pain of their Turkish brothers and sisters and stand by them in this hour of grief,” they added.
Deeply saddened by the loss of so many precious lives and of hundreds injured in Turkey’s earthquake. Our thoughts and prayers are with the brotherly people and government of Turkey. Pakistan stands by them and is ready to lend any assistance in this hour of need.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 25, 2020
Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa also expressed condolences over loss of precious lives due to earthquake in Turkey.
The COAS said that Pakistan Army contingent including special rescue and relief team and field medical facilities ready as part of assistance offered by the government.
