Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Sunday sent messages of sympathy to their counterparts of India, Sri Lanka and Maldivesto express shock and grief over the heavy loss of lives and property of these three countries caused by tidal wave and earthquake.

"I have been deeply grieved by the loss of precious lives and property caused by tidal waves following a severe earthquake. Our people share the anguish of the victims' families in these testingtimes," Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said in a message to his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh.

A powerful earthquake rocked parts of Southeast Asia Sunday morning and triggered tidal waves and flash floods, causing a tsunami which hit the southern Indian coast, killing at least 1,000 people, most of them in Tamil Nadu in the southern tip of India.

"I am shocked to learn about the tragic loss of lives and property caused by tidal waves following a severe earthquake that struck Sri Lanka this morning. The devastating tidal wave and earthquake have not only caused loss of precious lives but have rendered large number of people shelterless," President Musharraf said in a message to his Sri Lankan counterpart Chandrika Kumaratunga.

"We pray for the departed souls. Our hearts go out in sympathy to the families of the victims," he said.

In a message to his Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapakse, Shaukat Aziz said: "My government is ready to provide assistance which the people of Sri Lanka may require at this hour of distress."

The death toll of tidal wave devastation which hit Sri Lanka's eastern and southern coasts has crossed 3,000 so far.

The Pakistani president and prime minister also conveyed their sympathy to the leadership of Maldives to express their heartfelt shock and grief over the loss of lives and property in Maldives.

Source: Xinhua