Thursday, May 15, 2008, Jamadi-ul-Awwal 8, 1429    

President visits Chinese embassy to condole deaths in quake

M S Tanvir

Islamabad—President Pervez Musharraf visited the Chinese embassy here on Wednesday to express condolences over the devastating earthquake that killed more than 15,000 people in China. He assured the Chinese brethren that Pakista stood with them in this hour of suffering.
The President signed the Visitor’s Book and later in his remarks to the officials expressed his confidence that the Chinese people and the government would be able to surmount the calamity and offer better life to the affected people.
He said the news of the earthquake in China came as a shock to people in Pakistan, adding that Pakistan had itself suffered the similar tragedy and fully understands the devastation caused by such calamities.
President Musharraf recalled the prompt and invaluable support by China in the wake of Oct. 8 earthquake in 2005 and said Pakistan would never forget the Chinese support.
He was confident that like Pakistan, China would also be able to convert this challenge into an opportunity by providing better facilities to the affected people.
Recording his impression in the Visitor’s Book, President Musharraf on behalf of the government and people assured Pakistan’s full support to China and its people in their efforts to surmount the tragedy.
The people of Pakistan in unison express their grief and total solidarity with the Chinese brethren,” he wrote.
China has accepted Pakistan’s offer to send relief goods and President Musharraf said relief flights would be despatched soon to provide immediate help to the people struck by 7.8 magnitude quake on Monday.
Chinese ambassador Lou Zhaohui thanked Pakistan for its support and noted that the President and the Prime Minister sent message of sympathy and condolences immediately after the quake.
The ambassador expressed his gratitude to the Pakistani people and the government for their concern and offer of relief assistance.