Press Release

Earthquake and After Shocks there in Nepal Pakistans Rejoinder, Our Help
Islamabad: May 3, 2015.
Mr. Aizaz Ahmad Ch. the Foreign Secretary of Pakistan, today give instructions to
the Media on the circumstances in Nepal in the rouse of the 25 th April Earthquake
and the Govt of Pakistans response in terms of the relief assistance provided.In the
briefing, he was joined by the Chairman NDMA, Maj. Gen. Asghar Nawaz,
Ambassador of Nepal to Pakistan, H.E. Bharat Raj Paudyal,Director Military
Operations Brig. Azhar Waqas and Air Chief of Staff (Operations) Air
Commodore Javad. The Foreign Secretary said that the purpose of the meeting
was to reiterate our condolences and sympathies and to reassure the Nepalese
brethren that entire Pakistani nation is with them in their hour of grief and sorrow
and are ready to extend every possible assistance. He informed that the Prime
Minister, who was on an official visit to the UK when the Earthquake struck Nepal,
not only immediately issued the condolence message but also spoke with the Prime
Minister of Nepal to offer all out assistance. It was the Prime Ministers desire that
Pakistans assistance should be the first to reach Nepal. Having experienced the
2005 Earthquakes devastations, the Prime Minister knew what it means to those in
grief to find friends around them in such trying times. He apprised the media
persons on Pakistans response under the instructions and guidance of the Prime
Minister, who was constantly monitoring the situation in Nepal in the aftermath of
the devastating Earthquake. Expressing satisfaction, the Foreign Secretary informed
that within hours of the Prime Ministers instructions, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
NDMA, Military Operations Directorate of Pakistan Army and Operations Directorate

of Pakistan Air Force came into action and 04 C-130 plane-load of relief assistance
(food, medicines, tents, etc.), a 50-member team of doctors, surgeons, paramedics
and technicians, 38-member Pakistan Armys Urban Search and Rescue team with
the state-of-the-art equipment, including the rubble penetrating radars, sniffing
dogs, and a 30-bed hospital were made ready and dispatched. The Foreign
Secretary briefly shared how the various departments of Pakistan intended to
accomplish the task of fulfilling the Nepalese requirement. He underlined that the
Prime Minister has also established an exclusive Relief Fund for Nepal. In all the
Pakistani Missions abroad as also within the country accounts under the Relief Fund
Head will be opened and Pakistanis at home and abroad would be mobilized to
generously contribute to the Fund. He also informed the gathering that in response
to the Nepal Governments request the Prime Minister has further approved
provision of 20,000 tents and 20 tons rice. The part consignment was delivered
yesterday by two C-130 aircrafts. Chairman NDMA gave details of the relief
operations carried out so far and in the coming days. Informing about the nature of
relief assistance provided in greater details, Gen. Asghar dwelt on various options
which were considered to ensure an expeditious delivery of the relief assistance.
The Ambassador of Nepal expressed profound gratitude of his Government and the
Nepalese people and informed that Pakistans assistance was very effective, timely
and useful. He said that there has been wide admiration for the Pakistani relief
efforts.