Shaukat condoles with Malaysian and Thai PMs

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Thursday telephoned Malaysian Prime Minister Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawartra to sympathise and condole over the loss of lives and vast destruction as result of the earthquake and tidal waves.

Mr Aziz condoled with the bereaved families as well as the Malaysian government. He said in this hour of national tragedy, the Pakistani government and people affirmed their solidarity with Malaysia. He assured his Malaysian counterpart that Pakistan would provide assistance to Malaysia in coping with the disaster’s aftermath.

Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi thanked Mr Aziz for calling and expressing sincerity and empathy. Mr Aziz also condoled with the Thai prime minister on the deaths of the estimated 2,000 people and 6,000 missing.

He assured Prime Minister Shinawartra that the Pakistani government would provide all assistance and mobilise international action to deal with the consequences of this catastrophe.

Prime Minister Shinawartra said Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz’s personal phone call meant so much for him and for the grief stricken nation of Thailand. He said this call had reassured the people of Thailand that “in the hour of need, we have friends”.

Prime Minister Shinawartra affirmed that he would work closely with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to strengthen bilateral relations between Thailand and Pakistan. app

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