ISLAMABAD (Staff Reporter)
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the loss of precious lives caused by the recent cyclone “Dutwah” in Sri Lanka and directed all relevant agencies to provide full support for relief operations in the affected areas.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting to review Pakistan’s ongoing relief efforts in regions impacted by the cyclone. Addressing the meeting, he said that Pakistan stands in solidarity with the government and people of Sri Lanka during this difficult time.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office Media Wing, Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that after the search and rescue phase, Pakistan would play an active role in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the affected areas.
During the briefing, officials informed the Prime Minister that Pakistan’s urban search and rescue team would depart for Sri Lanka on Wednesday, accompanied by additional relief supplies sent via commercial cargo plane. The Pakistan Navy ship “PNS Saif” has been actively engaged in relief activities for flood victims in Sri Lanka, and its onboard helicopter recently rescued a family stranded for five days.
The briefing confirmed that Pakistan will continue its relief and rescue operations in Sri Lanka. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Aihd Khan Cheema, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kiyani, Prime Minister’s Adviser Tariq Fatemi, NDMA Chairman, and other senior officials.