ANKARA: The Pakistan Embassy in Ankara organized an event to commemorate the courage and resilience of the Turkish nation in the wake of last year’s devastating earthquakes in southern Turkiye. Chairperson Human Rights Investigation Commission of Turkish Parliament, MP Derya Yanik, and Ambassador of Pakistan to Turkiye Dr. Yousaf Junaid planted trees in the presence of Deputy Governor Ankara Bekir Yilmaz, Vice President AFAD Hamza Taşdelen and representatives of media, think tanks and civil society.
A moment of silence was observed in respect of precious lives lost in the devastating earthquake followed by Fatiha.
Speaking on the occasion, Pakistan’s Ambassador, Dr. Yousaf Junaid, expressed profound grief over the loss of over 50,000 lives and damages to property as a result of the devastating earthquake. He stated that earthquake highlighted Turkiye’s resilience in the face of a massive disaster, correctly termed as ‘asrin felaketi’ and the capacity of the Turkish government under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to handle such colossal damage in the best possible manner.
Pakistan-Turkiye Brotherhood and Friendship
While highlighting the deep-rooted Pakistan-Turkiye brotherhood and friendship, the Ambassador stated that both nations are like ‘two hearts, one soul’. Both countries have a glorious tradition of supporting each other in all circumstances. Under the spirit of ‘aciniz acimiz’, it was Pakistan’s responsibility to contribute to earthquake relief assistance efforts.
Vice President AFAD Hamza Taşdelen thanked Pakistan for its exemplary solidarity and immediate response to earthquake relief assistance. He highlighted that Pakistani rescue teams were among the first international teams to arrive in Adiyaman, the city worst hit by the earthquake, where they saved many precious lives.
He stated that relief assistance goods, especially winterized tents, were sent by air, land, and sea routes to ensure quick delivery to the affected areas, which highlighted that the hearts of the Pakistani brothers beat with the hearts of the Turkish people.
