In the first visit by a foreign leader to the quake-ravaged areas of Pakistan, Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan on Friday toured Pak-occupied Kashmir and offered aid worth $ 150 million, the largest donation pledged by any country so far after the disaster. Erdogan, who visited a 50-bed field hospital set up by the Turkish relief agency and met with injured patients in PoK capital Muzaffarabad, said Turkey would extend all possible financial and technical support to help Pakistan. Turkey would provide $ 150 million to Pakistan, 100 million in cash, official news agency APP quoted him as saying.
"Turkey stands with Pakistani people in this great tragedy," Erdogan told newsmen in Muzaffarabad. "Turkey will not leave alone Pakistani brethren in this critical time and assured complete assistance in the relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation activities of quake affected in Kashmir and North West Frontier Province."
Erdogan, who was accompanied by senior cabinet colleagues, also appealed to the international community to generate more funds and technical support for the suffering humanity in the affected areas. Pakistani Prime Minister, Shaukat Aziz, who accompanied Erdogan, expressed gratitude for extending generous support to Pakistan by sending medical, rescue and relief teams to help out the affected people.
Complete Coverage: Tremors Across Borders
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