RAWALPINDI, March 27: Edhi Foundation International has donated 100 tons of relief goods for the rehabilitation of people displaced by earthquake and war in Afghanistan.

The goods include dry ration, medicines, blankets, clothes and shoes, chairman of the Foundation, Abdul Sattar Edhi told a press conference here Wednesday at the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Press Club.

He said he would take a six-man delegation to Afghanistan in the next 24 hours to take the goods to the quake-hit areas.

A severe quake hit northern Afghanistan on Monday night, killing thousands and injuring more than 3000 people.

The renowned social worker said his Foundation had so far donated goods amounting to more than Rs110 million to the Afghan people and the service would continue selflessly till the people were rehabilitated there.

Edhi said the Foundation has two planes, one helicopter for air service while talks are on with Russia for the purchase of another helicopter worth $0.4 million.

He said all his operations are voluntary and the whole nation including General Musharraf is aware of this. He said the Central Board of Revenue (CBR) has sent him heavy tax notices which has greatly disturbed him. They are harassing him by asking for details of number of people employed by him and what are their salaries.

He said his Foundation is a welfare organization and not profit-oriented. There are corrupt elements in the bureaucracy, he pointed out, who have held the whole system hostage and hindering welfare works. He demonstrated firm determination to resist these hurdles and go on with his work.

“I don’t need any seat nor do I have any interest in politics. I am a simple Muslim and a patriot Pakistani. My wife, son and daughter have also the same aims. We have dedicated ourselves for the service of humanity,” he said.

Edhi said Jihad is carried out in different ways and added that at present the biggest Jihad is struggle against the corrupt elements, the looters and ignorance.

He stressed on simplicity and austerity saying these would solve most of the problems that the people of Pakistan face today.

He said Edhi Foundation is running more than 400 welfare centres with over 700 ambulance vehicles at the service of humanity.