Chinese Premier expresses grief with Pak Ambassador
Assures all out help, assistance to meet Pakistan's emergency needs
By Makhdoom Babar in Islamabad and APP's Javed Akhtar in Beijing

ISLAMABAD/BEIJING—Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has expressed deeply felt grief and sorrow over the tragedy that hit Pakistan on Saturday, claiming thousand of lives and causing loss of billions of Dollars.
Briefing The Daily Mail from Beijing on telephone, Pakistan Ambassador to China Mr. Salman Bashir said that Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, in a specially convened meeting expressed immense grief and sorrow with him over the tragic loss of life and property in Pakistan due to the recent Earthquake. Ambassador Salman Bashir further said that Premier Wen Jiabao assured him that China will make all out efforts to help and assist Pakistan in meeting Pakistan's emergency requirements. "Premier Wen Jiabao assured me of China's continuous support to Pakistan in this particular juncture. Chinese Premier obtained an update from about the latest situation back in Pakistan and Pakistan's further requirements to meet the crisis. I briefed him about the Rescue and Relief operation. This was wonderful gesture on part of Chinese Premier to have such a meeting as he had already conveyed his message of condolence and grief. This crystal clearly speaks of the depth and the strength of the ties between Pakistan and China and also commitment to these ties on part of Beijing", asserted Ambassador Salman Bashir in a very emotional manner. Praising the efforts of Chinese government, leadership and people of China, Pakistan Ambassador said that that China made the most generous donation of US $6.2 million to help Pakistan meet the crisis while its sending of a huge team of R&R experts and constant supply of relief goods had really proved that Pak-China friendship was higher than Karakoram, deeper then the sea and sweeter than honey and that China was Pakistan's real all-weathers friend. Ambassador Bashir informed us that he had observed feelings of grave concern between the Government, leadership and even general public of China about the disaster in Pakistan. "I have the observation that they are feeling just like the tragedy has occurred to them, not to some other nation. This clearly speaks of the nature of ties between the leaderships, governments and people of the two countries" expressed Ambassador Bashir. To a question he said that he was very much satisfied and rather feeling proud the way Chinese government showed a prompt response to emergency in Pakistan. "Well! I am not surprised over this promt respons and generous help and assistance, I think no Pakistani should be as that is just what a friend always expects from a real friend and China has proved it at many occasions" Pakistan and Pakistanis always expect such a rapid response from China”, observed Pakistan Ambassador.
APP's Javed Akhtar adds from Beijing: Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Monday assured that China will meet Pakistan's emergency requirements to overcome the miseries being faced by it, following the devastating earthquake He held out the assurance here at specially convened meeting with Pakistan's ambassador Salman Bashir, setting aside his other pressing engagements. "Premier Wen Jiabao Wen Jiabao discussed with the ambassador aftermath of the earthquake and the help Pakistan will be needed from the Chinese side. Expressing solidarity with the Peoples of Pakistan at present critical juncture, he said the government and the people of China attached great importance rushing assistance to the earthquake's victims. Giving prompt response to the Pakistan's needs, caused by the massive disaster, the Chinese government announced dollar 6.2 million emergency aid, the very next day of the earthquake and sent 50-member rescue and relief team along with goods of immediate needs, to the affected areas. The second consignment of the 90 tons relief goods including blankets and tents was also dispatched on Monday by a special cargo flight, and it was announced by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce that two other cargo flights will be flown to Pakistan on Tuesday and Wednesday. While assuring continuous support from the Chinese government, Premier Wen Jiabao said “We are closely watching the developments in Pakistan after the massive disaster and also in contact with the Pakistani side to know its requirements to cope with the grave situation”. "Being the time-tested and all-weather friend, China stands by their Pakistani friends at present difficult situation”, said Chinese Vice commerce minister Wei Jian Guo while talking to APP at a ceremony held at the Beijing airport for sending the relief goods.