ISLAMABAD: General Syed Asim Munir, Pakistan Chief of Army Staff (COAS), on Wednesday visited the Headquarters of the military’s Engineers Division in Rawalpindi and highlighted the need to keep assisting Turkiye and Syria in the aftermath of deadly earthquakes.
The death toll in Turkiye from last month’s devastating earthquake has risen to 45,089, the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) said on Wednesday, bringing the total toll including Syria to about 51,000. The earthquake and subsequent powerful tremors injured more than 108,000 in Turkiye and left millions sheltering in tents or seeking to move to other cities.
“COAS was briefed in detail regarding efforts carried out by Pak Army Urban Search and Rescue Team (US&RT) during Türkiye and Syria Earthquake,” the army’s media wing said in a statement after Munir’s visit to the Engineering Division headquarters.
“COAS met and interacted with the rescue team members and appreciated their professionalism and commendable work done during rescue efforts in the earthquake ... highlighted the importance of our enduring strategic relations with Türkiye and Syria and need to assist, particularly in times of crises.”
A fresh earthquake shook southeast Turkiye on Monday, killing one person, injuring 110 and causing 29 buildings to collapse, Turkish authorities said, triggering frantic work to rescue several people believed trapped in rubble.
The earthquakes have struck months ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections, scheduled to be held by June, which present the biggest political challenge to President Tayyip Erdogan in his two-decade rule.
