Turkey vows to play role in quake re-building
Erdogan pledges $150m for relief
By Our Special Correspondent

ISLAMABAD—Turkish Prime Minister Tayyib Recep Erdogan Thursday expressed full support of his country to help Pakistan overcome the impact of the October 8 earthquake.
After meeting Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz at the PM house, he told reporters Turkey would play its due role in the gigantic process of reconstruction and rehabilitation of the quake-hit areas.
He said Turkey would provide assitance worth 150 million US dollars to Pakistan, which would include 100 million dollars in cash and rest in kind.
“Turkey mobilized all its units soon after the quake to help Pakistan in this difficult time,” he said.
The Turkish leader said that his country would provide assistance to Pakistan in constructing houses for the earthquake-affected people.
He said 50,000 tons of flour, 25,000 tons of sugar and huge quantity of cooking oil would be shipped to Pakistan next month for the people devastated by the tremor.
Turkey would continue sending relief goods to Pakistan while goods through twelve flights had already been delivered to the country, he said.
He said as winter was fast approaching Turkey was trying to send tents and blankets. “One million blankets would be sent to Pakistan very soon while supply of tents would continue as available in the market,” he added.
The Turkish Prime Minister also assured support for constructing day-care hospitals for conducting minor operations, helping the women in family state, and providing medical treatment to children.
Turkey will also help Pakistan in setting up elementary school in the affected areas, he added.
Referring to his country’s experience of dealing with such calamities, he said that Turkey would provide technical assistance to Pakistan in rehabilitation and reconstruction projects.
He said Turkey had been experiencing severe quakes for the last ten years, the latest to come was two days ago which fortunately did not result in any loss of lives.
“Turkey and its people deeply feel your pain and anguish in their hearts and pray for early recovery of the wounded,” he added.
The Turkish Prime Minister particularly mentioned the enthusiasm shown by their people, specially the Turkish students who donated for their brothers in these trying times.
“Some of the students borrowed money to donate for their Pakistani brothers,” he added.
President of Social Residential Agency of Turkey, who accompanied Prime Minister Erdogan, will visit the affected areas tomorrow and prepare a report to see how his country could help Pakistan in reconstructions efforts.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz thanked the whole-hearted support of the Turkish people and said visit of Prime Minister Erdogan at this difficult time demonstrates the close ties between the two countries.
He explained to him about the massive relief efforts Pakistan was undertaking with the help of the international community and said more than 50,000 people have lost their lives with tens of thousands others rendered homeless. “Turkey and Pakistan have stood by each other in all difficult times and they are again together in this present catastrophe,” he added.
Prime Minister Aziz thanked the Turkish government for sending food, blankets, tents, medical aid and equipment to help in the rescue and relief efforts.
“People of Pakistan will always remember the Turkish assistance in this difficult time,” he added.
Mr. Aziz said he discussed with the Turkish Prime Minister assistance in reconstruction and rehabilitation process.
He praised the leadership of Prime Minister Erdogan under which Turkey has made tremendous progress, particularly in the economic sector.
Prime Minister Aziz expressed Pakistan’s support for Turkey in its bid to have membership of the European Union.
Earlier, the two Prime Ministers held one-on-one meeting for more than half an hour before they were joined by their aides for formal discussion.
Prime Minister Aziz also hosted an Iftar dinner in the honour of the visiting dignitary and his entourage members.
Earlier, Turkish Prime Minister Tayyib Ardoghan arrived here Thursday on a two-day visit to Pakistan.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz recieved the Turkish PM here at Chaklala Airbase.
He will visit Muzaffarabad tomorrow to personally assess the widespread damage caused by the October 8 devastating earthquake.