ANKARA: The Government of Pakistan has initiated a special flight operation to transport 50,000 tents to Turkiye during the next two weeks. First aircraft of this special flight series, carrying 1200 winterized tents arrived at Adana from Pakistan on Sunday night.

In line with the glorious history of supporting each other under all circumstances, Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif himself is monitoring the earthquake relief assistance from Pakistan. Under the directions of the Prime Minister, an air bridge was immediately established between Islamabad and Ankara on 6th February 2023 to transport rescue teams and deliver essential relief goods. Since then, earthquake relief supplies are being transported to brotherly Turkiye through air, land and sea routes.

Earlier, 10 special aircrafts, including three Pakistan Air Force (PAF) C-130, one PAF IL-78 , three Turkish aircrafts , three PIA chartered flights have brought earthquake relief assistance supplies to Turkiye. Relief assistance goods were also sent, via free belly space available on 29 regular PIA flights to Istanbul. Also, a 21 truck convoy brought 275 tons of relief supplies by road to Malatya, Three ships carrying winterized tents are already enroute to Turkiye and shall be arriving in Mersin this month. In addition to the efforts of the Government of Pakistan, a number of NGOs from Pakistan are on ground lending support to the recovery and rehabilitation process.

During the recent visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to quake affected areas, he reaffirmed the commitment that the people and Government of Pakistan stand in strong solidarity with Turkish brethren and are determined to extend every possible support till full recovery and rehabilitation.

Meanwhile another aircraft carrying 1200 winterized, fire resistant tents arrived at Adana from Pakistan on Sunday.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Khawaja Ahmed Hasaan accompanied the plane from Pakistan. Speaking to media, Khawaja Hasaan stated that Pakistan and Turkiye are like ‘two hearts, one soul’. People of Pakistan felt the same pain and anguish as their Turkish brothers and sisters and are determined to extend every support till full recovery and rehabilitation. Keeping up with glorious history of supporting each other under all circumstances, the Prime Minister is monitoring the earthquake relief assistance from Pakistan himself, he added.

Ambassador Burcu Çevik from Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs thanked the government and government of Pakistan for quick response and solidarity with Turkiye in this difficult time. Under the directions of the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, earthquake relief supplies mainly winterized tents are being transported to brotherly Turkiye through air, land and sea routes. The relief operations will continue from Pakistan till the complete rehabilitation of the earthquake victims. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was the first leader to visit the affected region to express solidarity with the earthquake survivors.