ISLAMABAD, Oct 21: Expressing solidarity with the Pakistani nation, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday assured President Gen Pervez Musharraf of extending his country’s expertise in the construction of quake-proof infrastructure.

During a meeting with President Musharraf at the Aiwan-i-Sadr, Prime Minister Erdogan said a team of Turkish experts would soon visit the quake-stricken areas to assess the kind of expertise required in constructing schools, hospitals, houses, roads and government buildings on modern lines.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz also attended the meeting.

President Musharraf thanked the Turkish leader for his country’s immediate assistance following the Oct 8 earthquake and said Pakistan looks forward to benefit from Turkey’s experience in dealing with such calamities.

Turkey was among the few countries which promptly extended relief and medical assistance to Pakistan in the face of its worst natural disaster, which has claimed thousands of lives and left millions of people homeless.

Assuring all-out support to Pakistan, Mr Erdogan said the entire Turkish nation has been deeply grieved over losses of lives and property in the quake, which shattered northern parts of the NWFP and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

“Pakistan and Turkey enjoy close relations, which are based on common bonds of history, culture and traditions. Everyone in Turkey owes it to Pakistan to help their affected brothers in their hour of trial.”

“We will bring into use all our resources to help Pakistan at this difficult time,” the Turkish prime minister said.

President Musharraf informed the Turkish leader about the hectic efforts underway to save the quake-hit people from harsh winter including procurement of tents, blankets, medicine and food.

He also briefed the visiting leader about the President’s Reconstruction Initiative and the establishment of Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority to accomplish the daunting task of reconstruction and rehabilitation.

Turkey’s assistance to Pakistan includes $100 million in financial aid, and sugar, flour, rice, one million blankets, tents and other essential commodities worth $50 million.

The Pakistani and Turkish leaders had Iftar and offered prayers together.—APP