Washington D.C, February 21, 2023 (PPI-OT):Symbolizing ‘inseparable’ bonds of brotherhood between the people of Pakistan and Turkiye, Association of Pakistani Descent Physicians of North America (APPNA), is proactively involved in mobilizing resources to provide relief to the calamity-stricken brothers and sisters in Turkiye.
During a Zoom telethon meeting, the organization raised an amount of $365,000 within an hour. The appeal to help earthquake victims witnessed prompt and generous response from the members as well as various chapters of APPNA. Georgia chapter of the organization donated $63,500. Similarly, Oklahoma chapter and Khyber Alumni contributed $25,000 and $32,000, respectively, for the cause.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Masood Khan and Turkish Ambassador in Washington Ambassador Hasan Murat Mercan were invited as key-note speakers during the telethon meeting.
Turkish Ambassador in his remarks recalled sentiments, generosity and the support of Pakistani nation during the struggle for independence of Turkiye and said that the two nations have a strong ‘inseparable’ bond of brotherhood and sisterhood and have been sharing each other’s’ sorrows and agonies without any hesitation at every difficult hour.
Noting prompt response from Pakistan as well as Pakistani community residing in the United States, Ambassador Mercan said that he was indebted to the Pakistani community for their humanitarian gesture and organizing the fundraising event.
Turkish Ambassador said that the earthquake that struck Turkiye was one of the biggest natural disaster in our times. “The area affected by the earthquake is larger than many European parties including Greece and Austria”, he said. Ambassador Mercan said that he was deeply moved by the statement of Prime Minister of Pakistan when he said that Pakistan will never leave Turkiye alone as it has never left Pakistan alone during any difficult time.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Masood Khan lauded APPNA for always being proactive on humanitarian front and rising to the occasion to help our brothers and sisters in Turkiye. “Our hearts go out to the people and government of Turkiye who were hit by one of the deadliest earthquakes in the past one hundred years and one of the biggest natural disasters of our times,” he said.
Masood Khan lauded the leadership of APPNA, President Dr. Arshad Rehan and Chairperson APPNA Social Welfare and Disaster Relief Committee Dr. Rashid Hanif, for taking a lead and symbolizing strong bonds of brotherhood between the people of the two country. “We respect APPNA’s humanitarian impulse and its enormous empathy with the people of Turkiye,” he observed. Separately, in his tweet, Ambassador Masood Khan also thanked his Turkish counterpart.
For more information, contact:
Embassy of Pakistan, Washington D.C
3517 International Court NW
Washington, DC 20008.
Tel: (202)243-6500
Fax: 202-686-1534
Email: info@embassyofpakistanusa.org
Consular Section PH: 202-349-3177
Consular Section Email: consularsection@embassyofpakistanusa.org