KARACHI, Oct 10: In view of the grave national tragedy that rocked the country and perished thousands in the massive earthquake, the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy, Sindh chapter, has converted its protest day on Oct 12 into a ‘day of prayers’ for those who lost their lives in the natural calamity.

This was announced by Syed Qaim Ali Shah following a meeting of ARD Sindh chapter at his residence on Monday.

He said the meeting was scheduled to work out strategy for observing protest day on Oct 12 against the military takeover, and to discuss the prevailing political situation following the local body elections. However, he added, due to the widespread devastation in the northern parts of the country and Azad Kashmir, the protest had been converted into a day of prayers for the departed souls. He said that the ARD had decided to organize fateha khawani for the earthquake victims at Masjid Qamarul Islam on Oct 12 besides other parts f the province.

Mr Shah said that PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto had already announced a donation of Rs5 million for earthquake victims. It would be distributed through PPP workers among the affected people.

Under her direction, a PPP Relief Fund for the earthquake victims had been established for the rehabilitation and relief of the affected people. An account in the name of PPP Relief Fund had been opened in the Al Falah Bank. Donations can be made into any branch of the Al Falah Bank in Pakistan in account 0035-01014063, he said. He said that the PPP chairperson had made an impassioned appeal to the people living in the country and abroad to donate generously into the PPP Relief Fund to help the victims.

She had also directed PPP cadres to establish relief camps to collect goods, medicines and donate blood for the earthquake victims. Mr Shah said that donations could also be made in the form of bank drafts and cheques payable to PPP Relief Fund and sent to Secretary General at the PPP Central Secretariat H#1, Street 85, G-6/4, Islamabad.

The ARD meeting decided to appeal its central high command to visit the earthquake affected areas soon after the roads were opened. He said that the government had failed to discharge its duty and to mobilize the available resources for the help and rehabilitation of the earthquake victims with immediate effect. Despite the passage of two days, he said, the earthquake victims were waiting for help under the open sky and suffering the insufferable as there were acute shortage of blankets, food items and other essential goods, which he said was a condemnable.

He said that the ARD had decided to set up a number of relief camps at tehsil level throughout the province with the central relief camp in Karachi. He further said that the PPP would also dispatch a team of doctors to help the ailing victims.

Qaim Ali Shah said that PPP Senators, MNAs and MPAs had also donated one-month salary in the relief fund.

Speaking on the occasion, Acting President PML (N) Mamnoon Hussain said that the party chief Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif had announced a donation of Rs5 million for the earthquake victims and had directed the party workers to extend helping hands to the victims.

Zain Ansari, Khan Amanullah Khan, Basharat Mirza, Nafees Siddiqui, Rashid Rabbani, Engineer Rafique, Moula Bukhsh Chandio, Jameel Soomro and others also attended meeting.