PESHAWAR, Dec 15: NWFP Governor Ali Muhammad Jan Aurakzai on Friday lauded the services rendered by voluntary organisations during natural calamities.

Speaking at the annual meeting of the provincial chapter of the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS), he said society's workers had put humanitarian consideration above everything while serving the injured, evacuating casualties and comforting the orphans under hazardous conditions.

The governor underlined the need for strengthening the society at the district level and urged upon the district administrators to support and facilitate the services of the Red Crescent at the district level.

The governor while supporting the expansion and strengthening of the organisation and its services at the district level said that Fata would be brought within the ambit of the PRCS working, adding that initiatives should be taken to chalk out modalities in this respect.

Mr Aurakzai said that a member from Fata should be inducted in the managing committee of the society. Similarly, he said that youth wings of both boys and girls should also be given representation in the committee.

The governor asked the PRCS chairman to form a committee to suggest ways and means for generating funds for the society. "The society must have a reasonable amount in its kitty and a source of regular inflow of cash to cater to emergency needs and requirements."

Mr Aurakzai advised the society to concentrate on reorientation of its line of action and develop new linkages, both at the national and international levels. “It should explore avenues to generate more resources for implementation of its welfare programmes.”

The governor also announced a donation of Rs1 million for the society. Chairman Dr Sher Muhammad Khan and general-secretary Ali Afzal of the NWFP chapter of the Red Crescent also spoke on the occasion. The meeting also approved the budgetary estimates.

APP adds: Speaking at a graduation ceremony of the participants of the 41st advance course in National Institute of Public Administration, Peshawar, on Friday, the NWFP governor asked the government officers to rely more on their expertise and intellectual authority, muster internal strength and unlock their vision for creative strategic decisions.