|
|
|
|
|
The Cabinet Committee on Fund Raising from Business Community for
Earthquake Relief has so far received Rs.5.5 billion from 184 Business groups
for earthquake relief while more than 700 business groups contacted by the
Committee are in the process to respond in this regard. Dr. Abdul Hafeez
Shaikh Federal Minister for Privatisation & Investment who is also Chairman of
the Cabinet Committee on FRFBCFER, constituted by the Prime Minister, said in
a statement issued here today.
He said that 947 companies, business chambers, sectoral associations, forums,
overseas Pakistanis and Pakistani Missions were approached by the Cabinet
Committee secretariat, which would further increase the volume of the
donations.
Giving an update on the breakup of the funding as on October 18, 2005, Dr.
Abdul Hafeez Shaikh informed that Rs.4, 664. 84 million has been raised for
the President's Fund, Rs. 72.7 million to other relief funds and the
contributions in kind were worth Rs. 737.13 million. The Minister has
requested the donors to indicate the worth of goods at the time of their
handing over, as most of the people did not indicate the value of the goods,
which was essential to compare the remaining requirements.
Dr. Shaikh further stated that OICCI member companies have so far contributed
Rs.810 million while members of APTMA has contributed to the tune of Rs. 200
million and the members of American Business Council has contributed Rs. One
Billion.
Dr. Hafeez Shaikh appealed to the remaining business groups to respond swiftly
to the appeal for contributions towards the President's Relief Fund to extend
timely help to the victims. The response so far received within and out side
Pakistan has proved that Pakistan was no more isolated in the world and that
the people of Pakistan have the spirit to serve their countrymen selflessly,
with unity and faith to reduce the miseries of the victims of the devastating
earthquake. The appeal for fund raising has so far received encouraging, quick
and warm response from the business community of Pakistan, he stated.
The Ministry of Privatisation & Investment is working as unofficial
secretariat of the Committee while Mr. M. Tahsin Khan Iqbal Secretary M/o P &
I is the coordinating Secretary for this national task.
The other members of the Committee includes Mr. Humayun Akhtar Khan minister
for Commerce, Mr. Owais Ahmad Khan Laghari Minister for Telecom & I.T, Mr.
Mushtaq Ali Cheema Minister for Textile, Mr. Jehangir Khan Tareen Minister for
Industries, Dr. Salman Shah Advisor for Finance, Mr. Umar Ahmad Ghumman MOS
for Privatisation & Investment, Mr. Hamid Yar Hiraj MOS Commerce and Mr. Umar
Ayub MOS Finance.