FO sets up crisis cell to assist Pakistanis in Myanmar, Thailand after deadly quake
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday established a crisis management cell to assist Pakistani nationals affected by the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar and parts of Thailand, killing over 150 people and injuring hundreds more.
In an official statement, the Foreign Office expressed solidarity with the people of Myanmar and Thailand in the aftermath of what it described as an 'unprecedented natural calamity.'
The ministry has instructed Pakistani embassies in Yangon and Bangkok to provide all necessary support and emergency assistance to nationals in the affected regions.
A dedicated Crisis Management Unit (CMU) at the Foreign Ministry in Islamabad has also been activated to monitor the situation and coordinate efforts to support Pakistanis in need.
Emergency contact numbers provided
The Foreign Office shared emergency contact details for Pakistani nationals currently in Myanmar and Thailand:
Embassy of Pakistan in Yangon
Mr. Anwar Zeb (Charge d'Affaires): +959880922880
Mr. Muhammad Shoaib (Counsellor): +959448999967
Mr. Ali Sher (Consular Assistant): +959457099977
Embassy of Pakistan in Bangkok
Mr. Fahad (First Secretary): +66 95 968 1506
Mr. Yaseen (Consular Assistant): +66 91 697 7702
Crisis Management Unit, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad
Phone: 051-9207887
Email: cmu1@mofa.gov.pk
Earthquake details and aftermath
The powerful earthquake struck near Myanmar's ancient capital, Mandalay, around midday on Friday, at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). It was followed by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock minutes later.
State broadcaster MRTV reported at least 144 fatalities and 732 injuries in Myanmar, with Mandalay — a city of 1.5 million and the country's former royal capital — suffering the brunt of the damage. Buildings, bridges, and roads were extensively damaged, while rescue operations were ongoing in several areas.
In neighboring Thailand, at least nine people were killed in Bangkok, where a 33-storey under-construction building collapsed. Rescuers were continuing to search for survivors trapped under the rubble.
The Foreign Office reiterated Pakistan's support for the affected countries and assured Pakistani citizens that consular teams were on standby to provide immediate relief where needed.
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