47-member search, rescue team of volunteers of Alkhidmat Foundation returns back to Pakistan from Turkiye

LAHORE, Feb 21 (SABAH): A 47-member search and rescue team of Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan’s volunteers after rendering services in earthquake-hit areas in Turkiye has returned back to Pakistan.

Vice President of Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan Dr. Muhammad Mushtaq Ahmed Mangat, Consul General of Turkiye in Lahore, Ozbey, Executive Director Alkhidmat Foundation Khubaib Bilal and general manager of Turkish airlines Umar Aowndar and other office-bearers welcomed the team of volunteers at Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore.

In Karachi, Vice President Alkhidmat Foundation Ijazullah Khan, President Alkhidmat Foundation KPK in Islamabad Khalid Waqas and President Alkhidmat Foundation Gilgit-Baltistan, Zakria Ahmed Advocate welcomed the rescue team.

Talking to media persons on this occasion, Dr. Mushtaq Ahmed Mangat said that volunteers of Alkhidmat Foundation have lit the name of Pakistan by assisting the victims of earthquake in Turkiye and Syria and their services were laudable.

On the request of Disaster and Emergency Management of the interior ministry of Turkiye, the 47-member search and rescue team of Alkhidmat Foundation’s volunteers was sent to Turkiye which was named as Pak-10.

Operational head of Alkhidmat rescue team Fawad Sherwani said that the team equipped with state-of-the-art technology including audio search camera, chipping hammer, angle grinders, gas detector, spine boards, chest extraction devices, folding stretcher and others remained busy in searching human beings trapped under the debris.

During the rescue operation, six persons were recovered alive who had been trapped under the rubble whereas 56 dead bodies were taken out of the debris.

Turkish Consul General said that Turkiye was very thankful to Pakistan as well as Alkhidmat Foundation and continued that Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan had won the hearts of Turkish masses through their prompt response to the issue