ISLAMABAD, Jan 30: Pakistan is proud of its friendship with Turkey and will never forget the generous help provided by the people of Turkey and its government following the October 8 earthquake.

This was stated by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz while talking to a delegation of Ankara Greater City Municipality led by Brig Gen (retired) Atilla Basaran who called on him at Prime Minister’s House on Monday.

The prime minister appreciated the fact that the Turkish government and private sector had given a total aid of nearly $200 million for the earthquake relief and was pleased to note that three Turkish Red Crescent hospitals were working effectively in the affected areas.

He also praised the Turkish prime minister who came to Pakistan and visited the damaged areas himself. People of Pakistan are very touched at the feeling of caring and sharing and would never forget this gesture of brotherhood from the Turkish people, he said.

Mr Aziz told the delegation about the relief activities carried out in the areas by various agencies, and said reconstruction phase would start as soon as the weather permits.

“We do not want people to live in these camps permanently, and would expect them to start their normal life in due course of time,” he said.

He appreciated the fact that in this time of crisis aid came from all corners of the country as well as from friendly countries, multilateral institutions, NGOs as well as overseas Pakistanis. Every house in the country became a relief camp and people showed tremendous resilience and unprecedented sense of unity and sacrifice.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Basaran said the people of Pakistan were not alone in their hour of difficulty as even now aid was being collected in Turkey which would soon reach Pakistan. The aim of this visit, he said, was to see the earthquake-damaged areas and to see the affected people, he added.

He told the prime minister that the delegation came to Pakistan eight days ago and went to Muzaffarabad, Bagh and Balakot to evaluate and appreciate the situation.

“The people of Pakistan supported Turkey during World War I as well as the Turkish independence struggle. Now it is our turn to pay you back. We shall do our best to support you, Mr Basaran said.

He also conveyed the regards and love of the lord mayor of Ankara and the municipality of the capital city to the prime minister.

He said the delegation was impressed by the hospitality of the Pakistani people.

The delegation also showed interest in establishing an earthquake museum in Muzaffarabad.