A M Shahid (Former Ambassador): The visit of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif to Turkiye at a time when their country is passing through a worst type of devastation caused by the recent earthquake is very significant. The presence of Prime Minister in Turkiye at testing times reflects the devotion and solidarity of Pakistani people towards their Turkish brethren. Prime Minister met with Turkish President and interacted with the quake victims and expressed solidarity on bahalf of Pakistani people. He assured full support to the earthquake victims of Turkiye. He said we will stand by the people of Turkiye. The alarming situation in Turkiye is a wakeup call for international community to come to the rescue of calamity-hit people. United Nations, Organization of Islamic Cooperation and other world bodies should come forward and help Turkish people as it is a matter of survival.  United Nations needs to immediately establish an international fund for rehabilitation of earthquake affected people. 

Dr Talat Wazarat (IR Expert): Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif is very much concerned about recent devastating earthquake in Turkiye. The government of Pakistan has also dispatched some relief goods and rescue teams for assistance of Turkish brethren. The physical presence of Prime Minister in Turkiye is a good will gesture from Pakistan. Turkiye is one of those nations that helped Pakistan in difficult times and now it’s our turn to reciprocate the same. In this hour of despair, Turkiye needed a lot of help in form of relief goods and rescue teams including doctors and paramedics. The international community including the United Nations and the world organizations must come forward to support Turkiye and Syria in this testing time.