The federal cabinet decided in February 2023 to donate one month’s salary to a relief fund established to support victims of the devastating earthquake in Turkiye.
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The decision was taken during a federal cabinet meeting chaired by then-Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif following the powerful earthquake that struck Turkiye and Syria.
During the meeting, the prime minister and cabinet members offered Fateha for those who lost their lives and prayed for the early recovery of the injured.
Shehbaz Sharif Establishes Turkiye Earthquake Relief Fund
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the establishment of a relief fund to assist earthquake victims in Turkiye and urged Pakistanis, particularly businesspeople and philanthropists, to contribute generously.
The federal cabinet also decided to contribute one month’s salary to the relief effort.
In addition, federal government employees in grades 18 to 22 were asked to donate one day’s salary to support the affected Turkish population.
Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan would stand with its Turkish brothers and sisters during the difficult period.
He recalled Turkiye’s support for Pakistan following the devastating floods that affected the country in 2022 and said Pakistan would reciprocate that support during the earthquake crisis.
Pakistan Sends Rescue Teams and Relief Supplies
The prime minister informed the cabinet that Pakistan had already begun sending assistance to Turkiye.
According to the briefing, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and Pakistan Air Force (PAF) flights, along with rescue teams, doctors and paramedics, were dispatched to support relief and rescue operations.
The government also planned to continue sending relief goods to earthquake-affected areas.
Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan would provide all possible assistance to the people of Turkiye and Syria.
The prime minister also referred to his telephone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday, during which he conveyed condolences over the loss of life and assured him of Pakistan’s support.
PM Shehbaz to Visit Earthquake-Hit Turkiye
Then-Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb announced that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would travel to Turkiye on February 8, 2023, to express solidarity with the Turkish government and people.
The visit was planned following the devastating earthquake that caused widespread destruction across parts of Turkiye and Syria.
At the time, thousands of people had been reported killed and injured following the powerful earthquakes.
The initial 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck in the early hours of February 6, 2023, near southern Turkiye and northern Syria. A second major earthquake, measuring 7.7 magnitude, followed later the same day.
The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) reported that the first earthquake occurred at a depth of around 10 kilometres near Kahramanmaras in southern Turkiye.
The disaster caused extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure across the affected region and triggered a large-scale international rescue and relief effort.
Cabinet Approves Other Decisions
The federal cabinet also approved restarting the process for the appointment of the President of the National Bank of Pakistan, directing authorities to complete the process on an urgent basis.
The cabinet further constituted a committee to review the draft Criminal Laws Amendment Bill 2023 and submit its report at the following cabinet meeting.
