ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has launched a new service through which citizens can send donations for Turkiye's and Syria's earthquake victims via SMS, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) announced on Monday.
The death toll from a devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck parts of Turkiye and Syria on February 6 has surpassed 46,000, officials of the countries have confirmed. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who visited the Turkiye last week to show solidarity with the victims, has also set up a relief fund and promised to stand with Turkiye in its hour of need.
In a press statement, the PMO announced Pakistan's "huge step" for the earthquake victims in both countries. "The facility to donate via SMS to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund for Turkiye and Syria's Earthquake Victims has been launched," it said.
The PMO said people can donate a sum of Rs10 by typing FUND and sending it to 9977. It added that the donations would be immediately added to the premier's earthquake relief fund.
During his visit to Turkiye, Sharif met President Erdogan who thanked the Pakistani premier for his "strong and steadfast support" in the wake of the disaster.
Sharif also visited earthquake-affected areas in the country and spoke to victims of the disaster to assure them that Pakistan would not abandon Turkiye.
