Special statement for Syriatimes by the ambassador of Pakistan  Air Marshal (R) Shahid Akhtar .

People of Pakistan were shocked to hear the news of the earthquake in Syria as they themselves experienced the devastation in 2004. Immediately the Prime minister of Pakistan ordered for mobilization of essential relief items for Syria through all possible means. At the same time he appealed to the people of Pakistan to come forward for the help of Syrian brothers. A Prime Minister relief fund has been established all over the country, which is now flooded with donations. Four cargo aircraft bringing relief goods, doctors and rescue teams have already landed in the past few days but since the relief goods that are waiting to be transported to Syria are too huge in volume, which requires dozens of chartered flights, hence it has been decided to ship them via Latakia port. At the same time it has been decided that the regular passenger flight of Pakistan International Airline (PIA) which flies every week from Karachi to Damascus would continue to bring high value items in their cargo section for a foreseeable future. The prominent NGOs in Pakistan are fully mobilized to support the Syrian nation. The Pakistan Embassy in Damascus working under the guidance of ambassador Air Marshal (R) Shahid Akhtar is a focal point for all the relief efforts.