WASHINGTON: Pakistan reached out to Pakistani-American community on Friday calling them help rain and flood victims across the country, while community the leaders asked people to “rise above party politics”during this natural disaster.
“I call you step forward to help communities in grief in Pakistan in in this hour of need, to ease their suffering and meet their needs for housing, food, healthcare and rehabilitation,” Pakistani Ambassador to the United States Masood Khan said. in open letter to community.
Ambassador’s statement office indicated out that today 66 districts in Southern Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan have been declared a disaster hit. Precipitation in The coming days could wreak havoc in also other areas.
Previously on Friday, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government emergency declared due to rain in several districts of provinces with instant effect after the provincial disaster management agency warned of “high to very high floods” in River Swat. Sindh and Balochistan have seen some of the heaviest rains this year. year since 1961, as the two provinces recorded 522 and 469 percent by Thursday more than the annual rainfall, respectively.
No separate army account for flood charitable donations, says ISPR
“There was a tragic loss of life and livestock, as well as serious damage to infrastructure and property in Pakistan. Livelihoods were disrupted; harvest destroyed; and entire neighborhoods were flooded. Value of disaster too big; the losses are huge,” Ambassador Khan wrote.
Then he turned to people “send anything amount you can afford to PM Flood Relief Fund 2022 to help your Pakistani brothers and sisters.”
But community leaders warned that calling for a donation to the prime minister’s fund might not be very effective as the vast majority in Pakistani-American community supports Imran Khan. However, the leaders called community to rise above party politics and focus on helping flood victims.
Dr. Khalid Abdullah, who head of the Washington branch of en international organization “Doctors” for Social Responsibility (PSR), proposed focus on immediate relief and on “increasing our ability to decide with such disasters.
“Monsoons are not newas well as floods. Such things have regular sample. By now we should were ready to absorb excessive amounts of water and even use it is in our favor,” he said.
The organization he leads is in a business with effects of climate change and has won two Nobel Peace Prizes for his efforts.
Dr Talha Siddiqui, who related with the biggest group of Pakistani medics called APPNA, advised to send “money, tents and medicines. He also warned the authorities in Pakistan to prepare for in post-flood infectious diseases, “which are often more damage than flood myself”.
“Start fundraising, send money directly NGOs you trust. Trust the embassy and support efforts,” said Dr. Siddiqui, when asked how in community could help.
“No, now is not the time for party politicsJohnny Bashir said. who heads the Washington, Virginia chapter of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). He recalled that during the 2005 earthquake community in Greater Washington area sent two containers of goods to Pakistan. “And we’re ready to do it again”.
Mr. Bashir said he plans to hold a meeting of all groups and factions” at Brookfield Plaza, Virginia, to “promote unity.”
Naveed Akhtar, main organizer of PML-N for Virginia also emphasized need for unity. “Not party politics,” he said. “We should work like Pakistanis putting aside politics. We should get together to see what is needed there.
However, Mr. Akhtar recalled that during the 2005 earthquake people donated their old clothes that had to be thrown away. “Please do not use such cases for get rid of of your old clothes,” he said.
Mr. Akhtar also offered to work directly with NGOs in field, but also advised”using relatives of your friends for directly distribution of essentials.
“No no no party politics” said Zia Hassan, member of Pakistan American Business Association. “We should get together. Hold a fundraiser. All should be invited. it should be a community based effort”.
“There is no separate army account”
Meanwhile, ISPR clarified that there is only one federal government Account for flood charitable donations, already announced through government. “No separate account of pakistani army for flood charitable donations. There are certain fake accounts attributed to the army. for flood charitable donations. All such accounts are fake and public asking to be informed of such false appeals, added.
Published in Dawn, August 27, 2022
