ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of life and property in a powerful earthquake in eastern Turkey.

In a statement, he expressed condolence with the leadership and people of Turkey. He said the entire Pakistani nation equally shared the grief of their Turkish brothers and sisters in this hour of trial.

The foreign minister prayed for the departed souls and early recovery of the injured in the earthquake.

Meanwhile, Foreign Office Spokesperson Aisha Farooqui also expressed condolences over loss of precious lives due to earthquake in Turkey.

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The spokesperson said in a statement that the government and the people of Pakistan conveyed their deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences over the reported loss of several lives as well as injuries to many more as a result of the earthquake in eastern Turkey.

She said our thoughts and prayers were with the victims of the natural calamity, and we wish a speedy recovery to those injured.

“As always, the people of Pakistan equally shares the pain of their Turkish brothers and sisters and stand by them in this hour of grief,” she added.

At least 20 people were killed and over one thousand others injured in the 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Turkey. The deaths occurred because of collapsing of the buildings.

Jolts of the earthquake were felt in Iran, Syria and Lebanon as well.

According to Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (Afad), there were more than 200 aftershocks recorded after the earthquake.