Naveed Ahmad Khan
In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Turkey, several Pakistani organizations and institutions played a crucial part in searching and rescuing those affected. In recognition and appreciation of their efforts, the Turkish Ambassador, Mehmet Pacha, hosted an iftar dinner to honor the responsible and helpful individuals and organizations, including and other welfare organizations.
The program was attended by Senator Muhammad Talha Mahmood Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Lt. Gen. Inam Haider Malik, the chairperson of Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Chairman and Vice Chairman Businessman, Dr. Asif Mahmood Jah,Federal Tax Ombudsman , Team of Türkiye’s aid agency, Team of Alkhidmat and team of NDMA and representatives of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs)other also attended.
On the occasion Ambassador Paçacı pointed out that the two countries always stood by each other in hard times, thanking Pakistan for its support following the earthquakes.
Paçacı presented Shields to the representatives of NGOs that participated in search and rescue activities and aid efforts in Türkiye after the quakes as an acknowledgment of their efforts.
Ambassador also thanked the government and the people of Pakistan for extending their “great” support after the Feb. 6 twin earthquakes that jolted southern Turkiye and parts of neighboring Syria.
“Pakistan and Turkey are time-tested friends, who have always stood beside each other in every trying hour,” said Chairman NDMA
“This bond will be further strengthened in days and years to come,” he added.
“Last year, Türkiye was the first country to rush to help our brothers and sisters (affected by the floods). And this year Pakistan was one of the first countries that rushed to help us over there,” Chairman NDMA said.
It is important to mention that earlier this year; a massive earthquake hit parts of Turkey and Syria, leaving thousands of people dead and millions homeless.