KARACHI, Feb 17: President Pervez Musharraf highlighted the nation’s inherent quality of philanthropy, generosity and giving to the more deserving even when its own resources were constrained.

“It is a habit with us. It is a part of our culture and our faith,” he stated.

The president was speaking at the inauguration of Ida Rieu Welfare Association (IRWA) School for Hearing Impaired Children at the Numaish Chowrangi here on Monday.

Gen Musharraf particularly mentioned Mrs Nadira Panjwani’s name who, he said, had made exemplary contributions towards the causes related to education and health sectors.

Mrs Panjwani donated more than Rs110 million for Dr Panjwani Centre for Molecular Medicine and Drug Development, University of Karachi. The federal government has committed an equal amount for this project. The president said that upon completion, the government would provide another Rs25 million per annum for its recurring expenditure.

He said Mrs Panjwani had contributed $200,000 for debt retirement schedule (during previous government), $100,000 for Human Development Forum.

The President said that Ida Rieu had been rendering exemplary service to the cause of the blind and deaf for the past 80 years and the association had all along maintained a track record of services with care and dedication.

He said that he was delighted to inaugurate the Shirin Keshani School for the Deaf at this moment which has been built through an outstanding single donation of Rs9 million by Dr G. H. V. Keshani in memory of his wife.

President Musharraf also mentioned the donation of Rs1.5 million by the family of late Adam Karimjee and said that with this amount this new school for hearing impaired children had been fully furnished and equipped. “We all are grateful to them also, for their invaluable act of love for the children who will benefit from this state of the art facility.”

He especially acknowledged the inspirational act of generosity by Begum Nadira Panjwani who has donated Rs30 million for the construction of a school for the blind.

While appealing all the philanthropists to come forward and assist this organization in achieving these objectives, the president announced a token contribution of Rs2 million.

President Musharraf also announced a cash award of Rs10,000 for master Awais, a blind student who recited verses from Holy Quran, and Rs25,000 for Ms Zainab, who recited a Naat on the occasion.

He also announced a cash award of Rs10,000 for every children who sang the national anthem, and Rs50,000 for the band.

He announced a donation of Rs50,000 on behalf of his mother, who takes part in the welfare activities, as well as Rs50,000 from his personal pocket.

On behalf of the government, the president announced a donation of Rs20 million for the sports complex.

Besides the First Lady, Begum Sehba Musharraf, those present on the occasion were Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, Nazim of Karachi Naimatullah Khan, Corps Commander Lt-Gen Tariq Wasim Ghazi, DCO Mir Hussain Ali, Dr Saeeda Malik and Shafqat Shah Shirazi.—APP