Pakistan has expressed solidary with Turkey and offered all possible support in the relief effort after an earthquake of 7.9 magnitude hit central Turkey and Northwest Syria.
According to the details, at least 300 people have been reported dead as buildings collapsed across the region after the earthquake hit in the early hours of the morning. The quake was also felt in Cyprus and Lebanon. A search operation has been launched for survivors trapped in the rubble.
Turkey has declared a “level 4 alarm” that calls for international assistance. President Tayyip Erdogan spoke by telephone with the governors of eight affected provinces to gather information on the situation and rescue efforts. Meanwhile, Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad held an emergency cabinet meeting to review the damage and discuss the next steps.
Read more: Deadly 7.8 magnitude earthquake hits Turkey
The scale of destruction by the earthquake has sparked international alarm. Pakistan has released a statement, offering condolences over the loss of lives from the earthquake.
“The Government and people of Pakistan are deeply saddened to learn that a severe earthquake hit parts of Southern Türkiye earlier today, resulting in loss of precious lives and extensive damage to property,” said the statement issued by the Foreign Office.
“Pakistan stands ready to extend all possible support in the relief effort,” the statement also said, adding that “we are confident that the resilient Turkish nation will overcome this natural calamity with characteristic grit and determination.”
🔊: PR NO. 2️⃣4️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣3️⃣
Pakistan extends condolences over loss of lives from earthquake in Türkiye
🔗⬇️https://t.co/Rngw90GUvx pic.twitter.com/DYDUdyTIC2
— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) February 6, 2023
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in separate tweets on Monday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended condolences and sympathies to the governments of Syria and Turkey. He also renewed the call for global action in the wake of an increase in climate change-induced natural disasters.
Türkiye'nin güneydoğusunu vuran bu büyük deprem haberi derinden üzdü. Yaşanan can ve mal kayıpları nedeniyle kardeşim Cumhurbaşkanı Erdoğan'a ve kardeş Türkiye halkına en derin başsağlığı dileklerimi iletiyorum. 🇹🇷
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) February 6, 2023
We send our heartfelt condolences & most sincere sympathies to the government and the people of Syria who have suffered major human and material losses from the devastating earthquake early this morning. 🇵🇰 🇸🇾
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) February 6, 2023
Disturbing videos of the earthquake and devastation caused by it in Turkey and Syria are making the rounds on social media. The Pakistani nation has taken to Twitter to offer condolences to the victims of the earthquake. Leading political leaders of Pakistan have also joined in to pray for Turkey and Syria.
My earnest prayers for the people of #Turkiye and affected neighbouring countries after the devastating earthquake in the region. May Allah help the victims as they recover from this calamity. In this hour of distress, we stand with you.
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) February 6, 2023
Our prayers & condolences go our brethren in Turkiye, Syria & Lebanon on the precious lives lost in the devastation of the earthquake. We stand ready to offer all humanitarian assistance needed.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) February 6, 2023