Following the destructive cyclone in Sri Lanka and the formal request for assistance, the Government of Pakistan has increased its relief efforts for the affected population. On the special directives of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, a Pakistan Army search and rescue team was dispatched early this morning to support operations in the cyclone-hit areas.
A Pakistan Air Force C-130 aircraft carrying a 47-member team along with 6.5 tons of essential equipment departed to assist in the relief and rescue mission.
The departure ceremony was attended by Federal Minister Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Chairman NDMA Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik, HI (M), and Sri Lankan High Commissioner H.E. Rear Admiral Fred Senevirathne (Rtd). Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said that NDMA is committed to responding to disasters both within Pakistan and abroad. The Sri Lankan High Commissioner thanked the people and Government of Pakistan for their timely support.
In recent days, certain Indian media outlets have attempted to circulate misleading claims regarding Pakistan’s relief assistance. These claims hold no credibility especially considering their long record of spreading unverified narratives. Instead of acknowledging the humanitarian crisis where families are displaced and people are struggling for survival, they focus on fabricating negative stories. Pakistan’s Ministry of Information has already exposed these baseless allegations, reaffirming that all relief items sent by Pakistan meet international safety and quality standards.
Adeel Sattar, Pakistan’s Press and Cultural Attaché in Sri Lanka has been coordinating communication on the ground and ensuring smooth coordination between Pakistani and Sri Lankan authorities.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif also engaged with the President of Sri Lanka and contacted other cyclone-affected countries, including Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia. NDMA has arranged additional relief goods through Sri Lankan Airlines operating between Colombo and Lahore, and 200 tons of relief supplies were sent yesterday via sea shipment.
The relief items include family tents, blankets, quilts, life jackets, inflatable boats, de-watering pumps, lamps, mats, mosquito nets, infant dry milk, ready-to-eat food, and essential medicines. Pakistan Navy ships and helicopters are already assisting in relief operations. In response to a special request from the Sri Lankan President, NDMA is also sending temporary bridges provided by the Pakistan Army to support access and restoration efforts.
Pakistan will continue to extend support to the people of Sri Lanka as part of its commitment to humanitarian relief and regional cooperation.
