PM Shehbaz postpones visit to Turkiye

• Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Turkiye has been postponed
• He was expected to express solidarity over the loss of lives in the earthquake
• The next date of the prime minister visit will be announced later

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has postponed his visit to Turkiye, Bol News reported citing sources.

The prime minister was expected leave for Turkiye tomorrow (Feb 8) to express solidarity over the loss of lives in the devastating earthquake in Turkiye. The next date of the prime minister visit will be announced later, sources added.

PM Shehbaz Sharif was expected to visit Turkiye to offer condolence to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan over massive human and material loss due to devastating earthquake.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb said the prime minister will also express solidarity with the people of Turkiye.

She said the All Parties Conference scheduled for Thursday has also been rescheduled due to the Prime Minister’s visit to Turkiye and the new dates will be announced later after consultation with the coalition partners.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has established a relief fund to help earthquake-hit people of Turkiye.

The prime minister appealed to the people of Pakistan, particularly the businessmen and philanthropists, to donate generously to the fund.

The decision was taken in the meeting of the federal cabinet chaired by the prime minister which expressed condolence over the hundreds of quake-caused deaths in Turkiye and Syria.

The federal cabinet announced to donate one month salary to the relief fund. It was also decided that the federal government employees of grade 18 to 22 would donate one day salary for the distressed Turkish people.

The prime minister told the cabinet members that Turkiye had been at forefront to support the people of Pakistan after unprecedented floods hit the country in 2022.

“The Pakistani nation would not leave their Turkish brethrens alone in this hour of ordeal. I am also leaving for Turkiye by tomorrow to visit the quake-ravaged areas of Turkiye,” he remarked.

He told the cabinet members that besides relief goods, the rescue teams were immediately dispatched for Turkiye to support the relief activities.

He assured that Pakistan would extend every possible support to the people of Turkiye and Syria as the whole Pakistani nation stood by the suffering people. The cabinet meeting offered Fateha for peace of the departed souls and early recovery of the injured.

The prime minister mentioned his  telephonic interaction with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in which he conveyed condolences and assured all-out support.

He said that PIA and PAF flights as well as rescue teams, doctors and paramedics have been dispatched for Turkiye, while the supply of the relief goods will continue.

The federal cabinet approved to restart the process for appointment of National Bank of Pakistan president, instructing to complete the process immediately.

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