Ankara/Islamabad, 12 September 2022 (TDI): President of Turkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, on Sunday. During the call, the two leaders discussed the flood situation in Pakistan.
President @RTErdogan spoke by phone with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/tfgV4TcDgd
— Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye (@trpresidency) September 11, 2022
Prime Minister of Pakistan thanked the Turkish President and the people of Turkiye for extending humanitarian relief assistance to his country in form of tents, emergency food items, and medicines.
Moreover, the Pakistani Prime Minister mentioned that as per the estimated calculations, the ongoing floods are likely to reduce Pakistan’s GDP by over 2 percentage points.
He also underscored that the floods have destroyed the country’s millions of acres of standing crops, houses as well as critical infrastructure.
Moreover, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif briefed President Erdogan about the ongoing relief activities by the Pakistani Government.
He also expressed his intention to seek Turkiye’s help in overcoming the food shortage and in undertaking reconstruction and rehabilitation of the flood-affected areas.
Further, Prime Minister Sharif reaffirmed his commitment to boost bilateral relations between the two states in all areas of mutual interest.
President Tayyip Erdogan on his part assured that Ankara has mobilized all its means to provide the necessary support to Pakistan.
He further said Turkish people stand with their Pakistani brothers in this difficult situation and the Republic of Turkiye will continue to do everything in its power to help Pakistan.
Pakistan-Turkiye Relations
The relations between the two states are based on mutual respect, close friendship, and brotherhood since Pakistan’s Independence in 1947. Pakistan and Turkiye marked 75 years of establishment of their diplomatic relations this year.
In addition, the two countries have supported each other in getting through difficult challenges such as natural disasters, which led to the strengthening of their relations.
Turkiye has also been providing continuous assistance to Pakistan amid floods in the country. Since August, it has dispatched assistance via 12 aircraft, four ‘Goodness Trains’ and two Turkish Red Crescent Trucks.
