Pakistan to provide $5m food grant to Rohingya camps
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ISLAMABAD: A cabinet committee formed to tackle issues over the plight of Rohingya Muslims has decided on a $5 million grant in the form of food to be channelled through the World Food Program for distribution in Rohingya camps in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.
Pakistan will also appeal to the United Nations to impress upon the Myanmar government to grant Rohingya Muslims equal citizenship rights and ensure the protection of the oppressed minority community.
Recommendations to intensify diplomatic efforts in this regard were made by the special committee— comprising Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatmi— which were approved by PM Nawaz Sharif.
Read more: PM Nawaz forms cabinet committee on relief efforts for Rohingya
According to the committee's recommendations, the prime minister will write a letter to the United Nations Secretary General, as well as the President of the UN Security Council, highlighting the humanitarian crisis and asking for further intensification of diplomatic and moral pressure on the Myanmar government to grant adequate citizenship rights to the Rohingya community in accordance with international humanitarian laws.
Simultaneously, the adviser to the prime minister will address another letter to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary General to propose the creation of a special OIC fund to provide food and other assistance to Rohingya Muslims who have left Myanmar and also those still living there.
The committee will also attempt to sensitise the international community to encourage greater assistance in all forms to the Rohingya Muslims, who are neither claimed by their government nor given shelter in neighbouring countries.
Read more: Pakistan expresses concern at plight of Myanmar's Rohingya Muslims
In addition, Pakistan will propose the establishment of a three-member committee of OIC foreign ministers who will travel to Myanmar in order to impress upon the Myanmar government to restore fundamental rights of the Rohingya community so they can live peacefully without fear of persecution.
Nisar vehemently pleaded the case of the Rohingya Muslims and raised the issue twice during the last two cabinet meetings.
The plight of the Rohingyas evoked immediate response from the prime minister and cabinet members and it was decided that a committee led by the interior minister would be constituted to chalk out an effective response to the issue.
Explore: In Asian seas, Rohingya migrants have nowhere to land
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (88) Closed
Jun 09, 2015 08:27pm
Bad decision. Indonsesia, Malaysia and Thailand are all wealthier than Pakistan and they are able to feed the Rohingyas. Pakistan is only responsible for it's own people and that is where they should channel their energies.
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Jun 09, 2015 08:29pm
Well done PM Sahab.
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Jun 09, 2015 08:31pm
We should not get involved in this subject matter. We have our own issues to deal with, the minorities of Pakistan are being attacked left, right and centre. Regardless of faith, if your Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Christian or any other faith, there rights should be maintained and valued as a Pakistani. Until we ensure fair equality, only then we can pursue such matters with the UN.
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Jun 09, 2015 08:32pm
For sure it's a noble gesture but shouldn't Pakistan be looking at its own backyard. Christians, Hindus, Shia, amhedis etc that are dislocated or massacred.
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Jun 09, 2015 08:35pm
Laudable aim and a decent humanitarian effort. If Pakistan had a better record protecting the minorities the approch to the International bodies would be more meaningful.
You are killing Ahmadia community on daily bases without any help. What moral force would your International appeal would have, is doubtful !
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Jun 09, 2015 08:35pm
Pakistan must take bold steps in solving Ruhingyas Muslims problems by taking into confidence the OIC members. The Muslim countries assert themselves this time. The diplomatic pressure through UN and if possible bycotting of Burma, should be considered. The OIC must ensure peaceful return and living of Burmese Muslim in their own country by providing security cover . The Muslims countries can contribute troops to materialised the security cover option and Pakistan should considered this option as well.
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Jun 09, 2015 08:47pm
Lets take all the rohingas and give them asylum. It will bolster our image.
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Jun 09, 2015 08:54pm
A balanced approach where the country does not try to take higher moral ground and at the same time engages Myanmar in dialogue through OIC.
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Jun 09, 2015 08:57pm
well done ch.Nisar
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Jun 09, 2015 09:00pm
Gesture is indeed very good, but Pakistan must consider its international implications. It might hurt sentiments of few countries. Religion should not be sole criteria for granting such aids.
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Jun 09, 2015 09:02pm
@Jatt , In pakistan no doubt there are poor people but if we compare the current condition we may found how trouble those rohingyian muslims are facing. No one is killing us to depart. no one is burning our homes. no one is killing our dears. and finally we know that we are poorer than many other muslims countries but is that enough for being cruel in this sense.
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Jun 09, 2015 09:06pm
@Adam Khan no. you can play many different issues at same time. improve all - don't have to wait for perfection in one 'important' one.
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Jun 09, 2015 09:11pm
Can u give the equal rights to those stranded Pakistani in Bangladesh. Let us put our house in order first.
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Jun 09, 2015 09:16pm
They need strong diplomatic support rather than food aid, OIC and Pakistan should mount some pressure on Mayanmar on this. International courts of war crimes should also be involved in this genocide of this community.
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Jun 09, 2015 09:19pm
Why Mohajirs, Rohingyas etc are called so....................these are the people treated as outcast by some section of the society...............there is aneed to chenge the mindset.
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Jun 09, 2015 09:21pm
How about someone give the Hazara equal citizenship rights?
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Jun 09, 2015 09:24pm
appreciated, at least a gesture of solidarity with brothers
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Jun 09, 2015 09:34pm
@pawan are they really!!
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Jun 09, 2015 09:38pm
@Jatt ....There is no harm helping people in need. Rohingas certainly need all type of help from all quarters of the world. In addition Pakistan, India and Bangledesh should also bring and settle these refugees them in their respective countries.
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Jun 09, 2015 09:47pm
Is Pakistan able to feed its own poor and hungry population?
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Jun 09, 2015 09:54pm
Has he given equal rights to minorities in his own country?
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Jun 09, 2015 09:55pm
Thank you PM sab. For recognising that all human beings are equal. Hopefully it applies to Shias Ahmedias leave alone Hindus and Christians.
But painful fact is muslim brother from Pakistan is worth only 10% of Arab in most of Arab countries. And muslims of Bangladesh were even less than that in 1971.
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Jun 09, 2015 09:57pm
Good gesture, but PM Nawaz must first see on his own backyard with helpless minorities, seeking protection.
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Jun 09, 2015 09:58pm
excellent move...
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Jun 09, 2015 10:03pm
Sir what about Sikhs and Hindus living in Pakistan.....
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Jun 09, 2015 10:06pm
good move by the Pak govt. but this is not enough, Pak has to do something extraordinary for the oppressed Muslims there.
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Jun 09, 2015 10:08pm
Pakistan must also be concerned about Uighar muslims not just Rohingyas.
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Jun 09, 2015 10:08pm
Thats what i voted him for , i pat my back for taking such a good decision, what a humanitarian and a statesman, proud of our PM.
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Jun 09, 2015 10:09pm
@Jatt: Do you have any sense of humanity. We have law and order the main problem, not the food. Pakistani people are open heart and contribute generously to their poor neighbors and relatives.
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Jun 09, 2015 10:13pm
Too little, too late.
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Jun 09, 2015 10:13pm
Well Done PM sb, thats why i like N League, we should also protect minorities in Pakistan although i understand due to current terrorism in Pakistan is not targeted or focusing on single group and well directed but external forces to destabilize Pakistan.
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Jun 09, 2015 10:16pm
How about giving Ahmadis equal rights in Pakistan?
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Jun 09, 2015 10:19pm
It's about time.
Well done.
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Jun 09, 2015 10:20pm
How about equality to our own minorities in Pakistan?
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Jun 09, 2015 10:23pm
And any possible aid to Ahmedis in Pakistan?
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Jun 09, 2015 10:37pm
what noble act .... when can we ahmedias expect the same
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Jun 09, 2015 10:38pm
Good decision by the Government. It is not only Pakistan but the whole world should look into the plight of Rohingya Muslims who are subjected to cruelties by Myanmar government.
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Jun 09, 2015 10:38pm
Honorable sir first make sure that minorities in your country receive equal rights. Then go and preach others to do so. Because it is said charity begins at home.
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Jun 09, 2015 10:44pm
Lets talk about minorities of Pakistan someday.
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Jun 09, 2015 10:47pm
Let PM to write same type of letter on China and Japan where Muslims were suppressed...
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Jun 09, 2015 10:58pm
Tiger.
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Jun 09, 2015 11:02pm
Rohingya needs land rather than food or money, pakistan should ask navy to bring more and more rohingyas to pakistan for better life. -Janbaz
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Jun 09, 2015 11:06pm
@Jatt Sir, please have some heart. If all of us think for ourselves ONLY then even Edhi sahib will be bankrupt in no time and will not be able to provide the needy as much as he can.
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Jun 09, 2015 11:10pm
We are so concerned about far away Muslims. That's good. However, what are we doing for Hazara Muslims?
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Jun 09, 2015 11:11pm
Protect your own citizen first.
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Jun 09, 2015 11:21pm
Thank you for doing this!
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Jun 09, 2015 11:26pm
Political Stunt.
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Jun 09, 2015 11:28pm
@pawan Sir, we are fighting the extremists with every thing we have got except the nuke. Thousands of civilians and our brave soldiers have died in the process. It is very easy for you to say things like this and frankly Pakistanis expects such comments from our indian neighbors.
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Jun 09, 2015 11:31pm
How cynical we have become. Everybody is talking about the rights of minorities in Pakistan. While Pakistan should do more to protect the rights of its minorities, does anyone believe Pakistan treats its minorities like Burma is treating Rohingyas ?
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Jun 09, 2015 11:48pm
@Dr. Sadaf
It is cost of few Metro buses in Lahore. Mr. Sharif can give this money as his personal charity.
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Jun 09, 2015 11:53pm
@SanCha Because Uighars are not fleeing China on high seas.
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Jun 10, 2015 12:00am
A long waited initiative, Pakistan played her part now other OIC members should step in too !
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Jun 10, 2015 12:16am
good move . but how will it reach ronhingyas? is there a body or organization representing them?
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Jun 10, 2015 12:39am
@Pragmatist: India already have hordes of refugees from many countries.....let malyasia, thailand, indonesia take a lead this time for the sake of their brothers :)
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Jun 10, 2015 12:42am
@fayaz ahmed : extraordinary? like what?? :)
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Jun 10, 2015 01:10am
@m singh sikhs and hindus have no prb living in pak . Either shia n ahmedi some extremist group and mentally ill people are trying to kill the minorities which is there everywhere around the world. But pakistani govt is protecting them done u see the zarb e azb operation
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Jun 10, 2015 01:29am
A commendable effort,however this isn't enough as things are much worse now.Similarly, some of our brothers and sisters have rightly commented that our incumbent regime must also ponder on the injustices inflicted upon minorities in Pakistan.
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Jun 10, 2015 01:38am
we should get the rohingyas into pakistan instead of only giving food.
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Jun 10, 2015 01:54am
Dear Sir
The Honorable Prime Minister of Pakistan is humbly requested to first take note of the ethnic cleansing of the Hazara community in Quetta and immediately take fool proof security measures to protect their lives and property!!!
Regards
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Jun 10, 2015 02:16am
It is a good decision But Nawaz Shariff takes takes about two weeks to turn around and consider the issue when other countries have already taken positions and made due contribution. Pakistan should have been the first to raise the issue at UN and OIC level. Nawaz Shariff is yet to write letters on the plight of Rohingyas. It does not reflect seriousness of the government while Rohingyas are crying helplessly for help.
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Jun 10, 2015 02:37am
US President extended some economic sanctions against Myanmar for another year on Thursday, May 14, 2015. White House said that significant challenges remain in Myanmar including a dire humanitarian situation in Rakhine state and where over 100,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled since 2012, thousands of whom are believed to be stranded in the Andaman sea, and the fact that Burma/Myanmar’s military “operates with little oversight from the civilian government and often acts with impunity”.incidents of violence toward Muslims and other minorities. If we look at the Muslim states, their role to help the Rohingya is deplorable. No sanctions, no diplomatic efforts to assist the refugees.We should recall our ambassador from Burma until they change their attitude towards Muslims.
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Jun 10, 2015 03:07am
@Jatt How low can you go. Any Human is responsible for all the other humans. Take yourself out of Pakistani Shell Dude. Pakistan should exaust every resouse possible to help the needy, no matter what.
Probably then we might have what we really want.
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Jun 10, 2015 03:21am
It would have been great if Nawaz could put in some effort to provide equal rights to Pakistan's own citizens.
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Jun 10, 2015 03:22am
Mr.Nawaz Sharif please first provide water and food to people in sindh who are hit by water crisis and are dying.
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Jun 10, 2015 04:12am
Dear PM can you please feed your own people first?
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Jun 10, 2015 04:19am
Mr.Prime Minister,
Charity begins at home.
Pakistanis ,in Tharparker and Sind are dying of thirst and hunger.Dont you know that ?
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Jun 10, 2015 04:57am
Good job - Nothing is more important than human lives
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Jun 10, 2015 06:24am
well done pm i will always vote you to save muslims around the world
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Jun 10, 2015 06:31am
charity begins at home Mr. PM.
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Jun 10, 2015 06:32am
Right. Do something for Rogingias but please also do something for the Shias of Quetta who are living in squalor on the outskirts of Quetta. Much like the Rohingiyas.
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Jun 10, 2015 06:37am
@lafanga
so you are saying that we should wait for the conditions to be so bad that they have no other option to die at sea and only than Pakistan will help the Uighar Muslims?
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Jun 10, 2015 07:50am
yup... it is time to write a letter again. Good thinking PM Sir.
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Jun 10, 2015 09:27am
commendable PM sahab, please don't forget IDPs too
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Jun 10, 2015 09:38am
Good decision. Humanity. Respect.
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Jun 10, 2015 09:42am
@Jatt I think you are missing the nature of the problem.. Feeding the Rohingyas is not the issue and neighboring countries are doing a great job by providing these homeless people with food and medical care. The real issue is that the military Junta in Myanmar is systematically killing the Muslim minority in the country and expelling them from the homes of their forefathers.These people have been living in Burma since British rule the country. Western countries including America has imposed sanctions against Burmese government but the Muslim countries are silent. If we let the Burmese government commit these atrocities against Muslims, no Muslim will be safe anywhere. Just remember, You could be the next target.
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Jun 10, 2015 09:46am
@Adam Khan
Government is not promoting violence against minorities but the elements within us. To eliminate this discrimination against minorities we must change our way of thinking. Those 5 million USD wouldn't have stopped the violence against minorities but they surely will feed thousands of innocent and helpless people, whom right now, nobody wants to help.
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Jun 10, 2015 09:55am
ppl are just not happy at anything. when dawn raised the issue of Rohingyas then they were like why Pakistan doesnt do anything for them. now if anything whether small or big is being done then they are like why dont u care own country first? plz make up your mind what do u really want? and
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Jun 10, 2015 10:11am
@Jatt When Pakistan wasn't doing something , it was bad. When Pakistan is doing something , it is bad.
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Jun 10, 2015 10:12am
A very slow response but keeping in view how our Government machinery moves , I would heartily applaud it. Bravo !!!!
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Jun 10, 2015 10:41am
Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand have not entertained these refugees and added more misery to the plight of these victimized people. Their boats have been rejected and are being ping ponged between these countries. If we are a Muslim state and no one is helping these poor and needy , hungry and desperate Muslims and human beings whose plight is shamelessly ignored by the international community then we need to help them.
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Jun 10, 2015 10:41am
Good effort, but they need rehabilitation.. Probably Pakistan can take in some Rohingyas..
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Jun 10, 2015 10:42am
@Jatt - U believe in Caste system?
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Jun 10, 2015 11:07am
A human life is very precious specially if you close your eyes and imagine that human to be your son or daughter.
Writing letters to Ban keep Moon is a futile political stunt.
We can start with summoning the Burmese ambassador, declaring him a persona non grata as well as recalling our diplomatic staff till conditions improve for these 'HUMANS'
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Jun 10, 2015 11:18am
@ those who are against this decision: It is a right decision, yes Pakistan is a poor country but it is a Muslim trait that we feed hungry even if we have to give our food.
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Jun 10, 2015 11:28am
I just want to say to those who oppose this decision that please show some humanity.
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Jun 10, 2015 11:28am
Begin a Muslim should help others Good Decision by PM also should empower own people too with financial help
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Jun 10, 2015 12:51pm
what about hazara , ahmeadis why not announce a million or half for this millions of dipriveed communites , wht look further when you have one of worlds largest deprived communites here right at your door steps
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Jun 10, 2015 02:09pm
Provide some food to your own people in Balochistan first...
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