ISLAMABAD, Dec 13: President Gen Pervez Musharraf has appreciated the spirit of voluntarism among the people and urged the philanthropists to donate generously to the volunteer organisations to augment their noble work.

Addressing a function at the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) headquarters on Wednesday, to give awards to the volunteers who participated in the relief and rehabilitation work in the earthquake-hit areas of Azad Kashmir and NWFP, the president said there was no shortage of philanthropists in Pakistan.

They proved it when the country was hit by devastated earthquake last October.

The president appreciated the contribution and services of PRCS in helping the calamity-hit people and announced to increase its annual grant from Rs5 million to Rs10 million.

“The whole nation showed solidarity when it was galvanised and every one extended help and assistance to their brothers and sisters following the disaster of earthquake.”

He said the National Volunteer Movement (NVM) was launched with a view to further mobilise and channelise the efforts of the volunteers who wanted to work for the help of others in case of any emergency or natural disaster.

President Musharraf said in case of any disaster or natural calamity, the country should be prepared to face the challenges like communication glut, supply of food, shelter and medicines without any direction.

Earlier, Pakistan Red Crescent Society Chairman Saeed Ahmed Qureshi in his welcome address highlighted the achievements of the society.

He said PRCS spent Rs3.5 million and helped over 2 million victims. In the next phase, the society has planned to provide 100,000 winterised shelters, healthcare to 200,000 people, water and sanitation facilities to 160,00 people and livelihood to 140,000 people.

Mr Qureshi said, PRCS would also construct 44 buildings for primary education and health care at a cost of Rs1.2 billion.

President Musharraf also distributed certificates among those who served in the quake-hit areas and generated funds and donated blood for the victims.

He also gave cash prize of Rs200,000 to Ms Shukriya

Gul, living with HIV and dedicated her life as volunteer with PRCS.

The president also gave Rs200,000 to Syed Ali Shah Bukhari whose son Syed Ashfaq Ali Bukhari, a volunteer with PRCS, died during relief operation in the quake-hit areas.

Other volunteers who received awards and certificates from President Musharraf were former PRCS chairman Lt-Gen (retd) Jahan Dad Khan, Syed Taswar Ali Gardezi, Isma Mir, Naeem Zaidi, Syed Mazhar Kazmi, Muhammad Naseem, Tabassum Rehman, Qasim Ali Shah, Humaira Nawaz, Raza Shah, Syed Ishtiaq Ali, Aysha Raza, Kamran Butt, Uzma Nawaz, Shamim Kazmi, Dr Muhammad Farooq Memon, Dr Murad Khamisani, Ms Ishrat, Naseer Channa, Ramulus Maranda, Aysha Baig, Khalid Saeed, Brig (Retd) Maqsoodul Hasan, Farrukh Fayyaz, Haji Muhammad Sabir, Ms Farhat N. Qureshi, Maha Ahmed, Kinza Malik and Fiza Khan.—APP