HAFEEZ RECEIVES EARTHQUAKE RELIEF ASSISTANCE WORTH RS. 20 MILLION FROM TWO ICI GROUPS

Islamabad, October 17, 2005

Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh Federal Minister for Privatisation & Investment who is also chairman for Cabinet Committee for fund raising from business groups for earthquake relief victims received from two groups of ICI namely ICI Pakistan and Pakistan PTA Limited relief assistance worth Rs. 20 million here today.

Mr. Waqar A Malik Chief Executive of ICI Pakistan Limited flanked by Khawaja Saqib Mahmood Corporate Commercial Affairs Manager handed over a cheque worth Rs. 14.5 million to the Minister in this regard. Giving the breakup of the assistance Mr. Malik informed the Minister that Rs. 14.5 million was for the President's Relief Fund, Rs. 1 million to Pharma bureau for buying medicines and employees' contribution worth Rs. 4.5 million to donate 20 fiber houses for medium term shelter for the effected people.

Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh appreciated the spirit behind the assistance expressed by ICI groups and said that Pakistan has given a lot to the business community in terms of investment opportunities and gains and it was the right time for them to come forward with open heart and to help those who have been badly effected by the recent natural calamity occurred ever since in the history of the country. It was hoped that all the more than 900 domestic business groups reached by the Cabinet Committee for domestic funding would make their significant contribution without any delay to overcome the miseries of the people of the effected areas, he added.