KARACHI, Oct 14: Foreign institutions have committed more aid for relief and rehabilitation of earthquake victims in the northern parts of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir. Standard Chartered Pakistan has announced a contribution of Rs60 million to be paid over 18 months. Rs30 million would be given immediately for relief efforts, of which 20 million would be donated to the President’s Earthquake Relief Fund. The balance would be utilized for supporting rehabilitation work in the coming months. In addition, the bank’s employees would give their two days’ salary for quake victims.

Multi-national pharmaceutical company Pfizer Inc has announced $1m for Unicef, the American Red Cross/Pakistan Red Crescent and Save the Children. An initial donation of up to $5 million worth of medicines and healthcare material was also announced.

Hutchison Whampoa and Li Ka Shing Foundation have donated $500,000. Tetra Pak has donated Rs12 million. It includes a contribution of Rs6 million to the President’s relief fund.

Oil marketing companies (OMC) and refineries in Pakistan have contributed over Rs175 million to the President Earthquake Relief Fund.