KARACHI, Feb 13: The chief of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Altaf Hussain, has said the party's welfare wing, Khidmat-i-Khalq Foundation, would provide relief to the people affected by recent rains, flash floods and snowfall in the country.

Mr Hussain, in a statement, said there was large-scale devastation and loss of life and property in various parts of Balochistan including Pasni from flash floods caused by damage to Shadi Kor Dam in Pasni from the recent torrential rains.

Likewise, he said, everyone was grieved over the heavy loss of life and property from torrential rains, snowfall and falling of mounds in the NWFP, Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas.

Mr Hussain said KKF would start sending relief goods to the rain-affected people. He appealed to philanthropists to extend possible help in this regard. Meanwhile, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement will continue its efforts to create religious and sectarian harmony and an atmosphere of fraternity during Muharram by seeking cooperation from eminent ulema.

In this connection, its provincial minister, Shoaib Bokhari, and adviser Noman Saigol, on Sunday called on religious scholars Mirza Yusuf Hussain, Dr Abdul Razzaq Sikander, and members of the MQM ulema committee separately. They appealed to the ulema to play their role in maintaining sectarian and religious harmony.