ISLAMABAD, Oct 28: The Cabinet Committee on Fund Raising from Business Community for Earthquake Relief has mobilized Rs8.4 billion from 239 business groups while the remaining groups contacted by the committee are in the process of making a response in this regard.

Federal Minister for Privatization and Investment Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, who is also chairman of the committee constituted by the prime minister, said this in a statement issued here on Friday.

Dr Sheikh informed that as on Oct 28, a sum of Rs6,618 million “has been raised for the President’s Fund, Rs140 million for other relief funds while contributions in kind are worth Rs1,703 million”.

The minister appealed to those who were in the process of extending assistance in cash or kind to keep in mind the fast approaching winter season in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Northern Areas, which could cause immense loss to the lives of stricken people if they were not helped out well in time.

“Innocent children and elderly people are looking towards us for our immediate contributions,” he added.

He requested donors to indicate the worth of goods in case of assistance in kind at the time of their handing over, as most people did not indicate the value of the goods, which was essential to assess the requirements.

Dr Shaikh appealed to the remaining business groups not to make unnecessary delay in their contributions in cash and kind as the advent of winter was a big threat to the victims. Timely response towards the President’s Fund and other funds would help speed up the rescue and rehabilitation effort, he said.

The recent donations are from the government of Japan, Rs1200 million for the President Relief Fund; Chinese companies, Rs22.5 million for PRF; Ratra Leather Field, Sialkot, Rs15 million for PRF and 10 trucks of food; Monstano Pakistan, Lahore, Rs15 million for PRF; Investment Corporation of Pakistan, Rs5 million for PRF; National Investment Trust, Rs5 million for PRF and another Rs5 million in kind; Bayer, Rs3.7 million in PRF and Rs29.3 million for life-saving drugs; Jordan Shaheen Business and Investment Group, Rs3 million for PRF; Fast National University, Rs2.66 million for goods and rehabilitation; Tajima Industries of Japan, (c/o Al-Murtaza Machinery, Karachi) Rs2.8 million in other funds; Akhtar Yousaf Leather Fashion, Sialkot, Rs1.5 million for PRF and three trucks of goods; Kohinoor Weaving Mills, Rs1.5 million for PRF; Mr Ahmad Shahzad HIC, London, Rs1.05 million for PRF, Admore Gas and Hascombe Storage, Rs1 million each for PRF.

The Ministry of Privatization and Investment is working as unofficial secretariat of the committee while M.Tahsin Khan Iqbal is the coordinating secretary for the task.