ISLAMABAD, Nov 20: US Senator George Allen on Sunday presented a cheque of Rs5.9 million to The Citizens Foundation (TCF) that would be spent on rebuilding schools in the quake-hit areas.
The senator, who was flanked by his wife, was briefed about the scale of the October 8 earthquake disaster at a local hotel.
He said the flow of local and foreign assistance should not be stopped rather it must be increased. He pointed out that the citizens of America were still engaged in fund-raising campaigns for the quake victims, adding that they were equally participating in relief activities like the US government.
Mr Allen said the US people would stand by their Pakistani fellows in the long-term rehabilitation plan and would extend their support accordingly.
Earlier, TCF Chairman Ahsan Salim briefed the US senator about the performance of his foundation saying that the charity organization was running over 200 schools in all the four provinces of the country and was providing quality education to underprivileged children.
Mr Salim told the gathering that the TCF would build 5,000 permanent earthquake-resistant houses and schools in the country. He said the foundation would build tent schools on priority basis in the quake-hit areas.
The senator’s wife, Mrs Allen, said education was the only weapon through which a peaceful and prosperous society could be formed, adding that Pakistan needed a broad-based educational setup.
US Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Khusro Bakhtiar and former Foreign Office Spokesman Jalil Abbasi were also present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, speaking at a reception hosted by Senate Chairman Mohammadmian Soomro in his honour, George Allen said he was here to thank the leaders of Pakistan government on behalf of the people of the US for their courageous and just decision on the war on terror.
Senator Allen said the recent earthquake in Pakistan had caused great damage to the infrastructure and rendered hundreds and thousands of people homeless whose rehabilitation would take a long time.
Earlier, while welcoming the US senator, Mr Soomro said Senator George Allen was not only a great friend of Pakistan but also a great social worker.
Senator Mohammad Azam Khan Swati said the recent earthquake had caused unprecedented devastation in the NWFP and Azad Kashmir where most of the schools, colleges and hospitals had collapsed.
He complemented the US government for doing a fantastic job in the earthquake-hit areas.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has appreciated the personal interest taken by US President George W. Bush in raising funds for earthquake survivors and reconstruction and rehabilitation of the affected areas.
This shows the extent of friendly relations between the US and Pakistan, the prime minister said.