Punjab CM announces to send 50-member rescue team to Turkiye

Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi telephoned the Ambassador of Turkiye Dr Mehmet Paçaci on Monday and expressed his deep sorrow and grief over the loss of life and property caused by the earthquake. He announced the sending of a 50-member rescue and relief team to Turkiye on behalf of the Punjab government and said that the team would go to the affected areas to start rescue operations immediately. We express complete solidarity with each other, and in the hour of trial, Pakistan stands with the brothers and sisters of Turkiye, he added. We are with the brothers and sisters of Turkiye in difficult times and would remain with them, he added. The CM conveyed his sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and expressed his profound sadness at the loss of life and property. He empathized with those affected and offered his condolences to the families of the deceased and injured. The CM also prayed for a quick recovery of those who were hurt. The caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi has directed the best arrangements, along with foolproof security, for the 18th International Cholistan Jeep Rally. Overcharging in local hotels should be addressed and an organised publicity campaign be launched, nationally as well as internationally, to project this important event. Interesting programs would be presented at Derawar Fort and Dilwash Stadium for the entertainment of the visitors and information desks, parking, tuck-shops on the rally track, workshops and disposable washrooms would made be available to facilitate the participants. Alongside this, recovery vehicles, air-ambulance and four-by-four ambulances would also be made available to deal with emergencies. Mobile towers of phone companies have been arranged to ensure cellular service in the Cholistan area. Food street, musical night, fireworks, camel dance, javelin throw and similar events have been planned for the camping fans in Derawar Fort. Cultural programs will also be organized in Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan and Bahawalpur in connection with the rally. The food courts, folk singing, cricket, horse and camel dance and tug-of-war events would be held in three districts along with a bicycle race in Bahawalpur city. Commissioner Bahawalpur briefed the chief minister about the organization of the 18th International Cholistan Jeep Rally. It was told in the briefing that five categories have been introduced in the 18th International Cholistan Jeep Rally. This rally includes dirt-bike, quad-bike, truck, stock and other categories. Around half a million people are expected to arrive in Cholistan during the rally. Alternative routes and roads have been constructed and expanded to keep traffic flowing in Cholistan. Kandewala Bridge has been doubled to maintain traffic flow. Signboards have been installed and information desks have been established to indicate the routes in the expanse of the desert. Provincial Minister for Information and Culture Amir Mir, secretary tourism, secretary information and culture, MD Tourism Development Corporation Punjab and others attended the meeting. Commissioner, DC, RPO & DPO Bahawalpur, deputy commissioner & DPO Rahim Yar Khan and MD Cholistan Development Authority participated through video link. The president and executive committee members of All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) called on caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi at his office on Monday and expressed good wishes for him. The CM assured to resolve the problems of the newspaper industry and directed the information department to pay the arrears of advertisements without delay. There would be less work in a short time but would try to make every work exemplary, the CM maintained and added that provision of facilities in selected hospitals in Lahore would be completed soon. Free angiography would be done within two hours in selected government hospitals, he noted and mentioned that the new emergency block of Jinnah Hospital would be completed in a few months. Similarly, Kalma Chowk and Samanabad underpass projects would be completed before time. The law and order was gradually improving. The government was sending 50 rescuers to aid the earthquake victims in Türkiye, the CM concluded. The delegation included president Sarmad Ali, senior vice president Jameel Athar, vice president Shahab Zuberi, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman Shami, Khushnood Ali Khan and APNS members namely Syed Sajjad Bukhari, Mumtaz A. Tahir, Naveed Chaudhary, Muhammad Waqaruddin, Imtinan Shahid, Syed Mumtaz Ahmad Shah, Syed Muhammad Munir Jilani, Umar Mujeeb Shami, Gohar Zahid Malik, Humayun Gulzar, Bilal Mahmood and Furqan Hashmi. Provincial Information Minister Amir Mir, secretary information and others were also present. Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Haji Ghulam Ali called on caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi at his office on Monday and discussed matters of mutual interest and promotion of interprovincial harmony. Both agreed to accelerate efforts for improving interprovincial harmony while CM Mohsin Naqvi expressed solidarity with the bereaved families of the Peshawar blast. There is a need to promote unity among the people to overcome the menace of terrorism, Mohsin Naqvi said and noted that all the people should remain united to strengthen the bonds of interprovincial harmony.