KARACHI, Nov 7: Vice-Chancellor of the University of Karachi Dr Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui has appealed to the passed out students of the university settled abroad, to donate generously to the relief efforts under way in quake-hit areas.

He was talking to a group of former KU students who have settled in Gulf, European and other states.

Expressing satisfaction over the efforts put in by students and faculty members of the university towards the rehabilitation of quake victims, he appealed to all former students now living abroad to contribute generously to the President’s Relief Fund for Earthquake Victims.

He pointed out that more than 5,000 students and teachers had perished in Muzaffarabad alone while over 3,000 others were buried under the rubble Balakot.

“The quake has pushed Kashmir 50 years behind which the authorities and academia will have to look into seriously,” he said, adding that the KU was ready to provide all possible support and assistance to Kashmir and NWFP governments in overcoming the academic loss and accommodating their students.

Scouts: Some batches of scouts on Monday returned to the city from quake-stricken areas and new groups have been sent to continue the relief activities initiated by the Sindh Boys Scouts Association (SBSA) there.

District Scout Commissioner and Provincial Vice-Commissioner Hassan Feroz, District Secretary Masood Khan and Provincial Coordinator Akhter Mir received the returning batches and appreciated the services they have rendered to the suffering humanity.

The scouts, along with SBSA Provincial Secretary Col Shah Ali, secretaries of the association’s Balochistan and Azad Kashmir chapters, and Programme Director Zahid Mehboob, celebrated Eidul Fitr with the children who have survived in the October 8 earthquake.

The scouts visited different places of Muzaffarabad, Rawlakot and Bagh and distributed Eid gifts among local children.

VISIT: Sindh Minister for Women Development Dr Saeeda Malik has left for the earthquake affected areas of Mansehra and Muzaffarabad along with relief goods.