Apart from the rescue team, the Singapore government will also provide a US$200,000 relief package for Pakistan.

The city-state's foreign ministry said 44 members of the Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team of the Singapore Civil Defence Force, along with three search dogs, left for Islamabad in two military C-130 transport planes.

"Singapore's humanitarian assistance to Pakistan comes in response to international appeals for assistance from the Pakistan government," the ministry said in a statement.

"The Singapore government continues to be in contact with the relevant authorities in the earthquake-affected areas in India and Pakistan to best assist in the relief and rescue efforts."

The Singapore armed forces, especially its transport helicopters, cargo planes and medical personnel, played a crucial role in the aftermath of last December's tsunami disaster in Indonesia's Aceh province.

Singapore's Texas-based Chinook helicopters also helped in relief efforts in the US city of New Orleans following the devastation by Hurricane Katrina.

Four Chinooks flew more than 80 sorties, transporting over 800 evacuees and security personnel and more than 540 tonnes of equipment, humanitarian supplies and sand in the Hurricane Katrina disaster zone.

The death toll in Saturday's 7.6 magnitude quake, which devastated northeast Pakistan, could reach 40,000, according to Pakistani authorities.

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