KARACHI, Nov 2: The National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) has so far collected more than Rs1 billion as donations to the President’s Relief Fund for Earthquake Victims- 2005, according to an NBP press release issued here on Wednesday.
The bank had launched an aggressive campaign to solicit donations for the relief fund through its entire domestic and overseas operations. It would continue its efforts to maximize the contribution, the press release added.
PAKISTAN STEEL: The Pakistan Steel will donate more than 100,000 corrugated galvanized sheets for construction of temporary shelters for quake victims in the NWFP and AJK in next one month.
This was decided at a meeting between PS Chairman Lt-Gen Abdul Qayyum and GHQ’s, Maj-Gen Imtiaz Hussain here on Wednesday. The meeting was held at the Pakistan Steel Operations Building, Bin Qasim, said a handout.
Initially, about 2,000 sheets measuring 3x10 feet of 24-26 gauge will be produced per day and the production would be increased to 4,000 sheets per day in the coming weeks.
In addition, the PS will provide cold-formed box sections (x-section: 100mmx 60mmx5mm), channels (3 x-sections i.e. 140mmx80mmx5mm; 160mmx80mmx5mm and 200mmx 80mmx6mm) and angle iron (2 x-sections i.e. 65mmx65mm and 75mmx75 mm).
NO CASH: Cash donations will not be accepted at army relief camps, an official of the ISPR said here on Wednesday.
He advised donors to deposit cash donations in the president’s relief fund directly, pointing out that the cash donations earlier accepted by the Pakistan Rangers had been deposited in the president’s relief fund.
CAMPAIGN: The Alliances Francaises Pakistan is launching a fund raising campaign for the victims of earthquake.
The Alliances Francaises Pakistan is working in collaboration with the Pakistan Girl Guides Association and Pakistan Boy Scouts Association. — APP/PPI
LPP: The Labour Party Pakistan (LPP), which has initially completed survey of 37 hilly areas in Bagh and Balakot districts, has expressed fear that thousands of people – mainly children and elderly ones, may die due to looming harsh winter if tents, blankets, warm clothes and food are not rushed to the quake-hit areas, adds staff reporter.
LPP leader Nasir Mansoor, who has just returned after a week-long visit to the two districts, told a group of journalists that the entire infrastructure in Kashmir had been destroyed by the quake whereas rubble of 80 per cent structures could not be attended because of collapsed bridges and broken roads. “Life in the entire quake-hit zone has stood paralyzed and outbreak of epidemics at any moment is a standing threat,” he said, adding that the number of children dying there was on the increase.
He said there was a lot of resentment, particularly against the government, in the quake affected people for failure in providing relief to them.
Mr Mansoor quoted people as complaining that the army teams which had visited their localities had distributed slips for collecting relief goods from the concerned army base camp but when they reached there, they were disappointed as the essential items they required immediately were not provided to them.
