ISLAMABAD, Nov 17: Former prime minister and chairperson of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Benazir Bhutto has thanked heads of state and government of donor countries for providing relief and assistance for rehabilitation of earthquake-affected people in Pakistan.

“This sympathy and support means so much to us as we try to rebuild the shattered lives and cities that now pose enormous challenges to a nation afflicted with great poverty and backwardness,” she said in her letter to the heads of state and government.

“By your sharing our sorrows and contributing to our relief and rehabilitation efforts, we have been highly encouraged in our time of tribulation,” Ms Bhutto said, adding that she looked forward to their “continuing cooperation”.

Ms Bhutto said the donor countries’ support to the victims of the devastating earthquake of October 8 “reaffirmed the principle moral that a friend in need is a friend indeed”.

“The people of Pakistan will remember this support for a long time to come. I look forward to the continuing cooperation between our two countries in the global village where we are supposed to share the joys and sorrows of one another,” she concluded.