ISLAMABAD, MAR 12 /DNA/ – 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 tonight.

In line with the glorious history of supporting each other under all circumstances, the Prime Minister 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.