Pakistan, Turkey unveil disaster pact

ANKARA

Pakistani and Turkish authorities have agreed Wednesday to work together to combat the effects of natural disasters.

The two counties say they have agreed to share expertise, train experts and run joint disaster-management exercises.

Pakistan’s ambassador to Turkey, Sohail Mahmood, met the president of Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) Fuat Oktay in Ankara.

“Ambassador Sohail Mahmood conveyed deep appreciation for AFAD’s assistance for relief and rehabilitation operations in the aftermath of recent natural disasters in Pakistan,” the Pakistani embassy said in a statement.

Turkey provided help to Pakistan following the 2005 and 2008 earthquakes and following July-September 2010 flooding disaster.

AFAD says it has “completed successful missions to provide humanitarian assistance to nearly 50 countries [including Pakistan] around the globe.”