PM Sharif says Pakistan will always remember Türkiye’s support during floods

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for his support following the recent devastating floods in Pakistan.

In a statement on X, Sharif said: “Grateful to my dear brother President R.T. Erdoğan, for his warm and thoughtful telephone call earlier today wherein he conveyed heartfelt condolences and solidarity over the tragic floods in various parts of Pakistan.”

He also highlighted Türkiye’s commitment to assisting in the ongoing rescue and relief efforts, adding, “I deeply appreciate his generous offer of Turkish support in rescue and relief efforts. The people of Pakistan will always remember the support of the Turkish nation. As true brothers, we have always stood by each other, through thick and thin.”

Sharif further noted the leaders’ discussion on bilateral cooperation: “We reiterated our shared commitment to further strengthening of our historically warm and fraternal ties across all spheres of cooperation. We look forward to our meeting on the margins of the upcoming SCO Summit in Tianjin.”

Pakistan is enduring one of its most severe flood crises in decades, as torrential monsoon rains have triggered widespread devastation across the country. The death toll has surpassed 700 since June, with over 400 fatalities reported in August alone.

The northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has been the hardest hit, particularly the Buner district, where flash floods and landslides have claimed over 200 lives in just 48 hours. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reports that 273 men, 29 women, and 21 children have died, with 123 men, 23 women, and 10 children injured.

Additionally, 159 houses have been damaged, and 57 schools have been partially affected. Rescue operations are ongoing, with over 2,000 personnel involved in recovery efforts across nine districts.

In the southern province of Sindh, Karachi, Pakistan's largest city, has experienced severe flooding due to inadequate infrastructure. Heavy rains have overwhelmed the city's drainage systems, leading to submerged streets, power outages, and significant property damage.

At least 14 deaths have been reported in Karachi, with authorities warning of more downpours in the coming days.

By Aghakazim Guliyev