Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front (PIAF) has started a charity fund to raise money for the people affected by the recent floods. The fund has been established with the title “Flood Relief Fund”, and PKR12 million has been collected in just a single day, according to a press statement issued by the organisation.

PIAF Chairman Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol, addressing the hurriedly-called meeting of the PIAF Executive Committee, said that the aim of establishing the fund is to extend support to the victims of the floods who are in dire need of help. After negotiations with other members of PIAF, it was decided to take this noble initiative on a campaign level to help the poor in their testing times.

The chairman said that PIAF has always played its role in all testing times and credit goes to its members who donated maximum money for the help of the deprived. The business community must perform an extraordinary role as the situation has become too grave to be handled by the government alone.

He appealed to the whole business community to show generosity to­wards their flood-hit countrymen. He said that in the past the PIAF had given donations in millions of rupees for earthquake and flood victims. He asked the government to form a comprehensive strategic plan to tackle flash floods in the future, as the floods would have severe consequences on the already fragile economy of the country, and inflation. 

He said that the businessmen are with the flood-affected people in their dire need for rescue, relief, and rehabilitation. He made an appeal to the entire nation, overseas Pakistanis, and the international community to come forward to help those affected by the present floods in the country. 

There will be shortages of farm produce and their prices will sky-rocket. The business community, who had already displayed remarkable philanthropic spirit in the past, should come forward once again and contribute generously in cash and kind to support the rescue and relief efforts of the government and other relevant organizations, he said.

He called upon all the provincial governments, institutions, NGOs, and volunteers to offer their expertise and leadership to rescue, evacuate, and rehabilitate those in need by providing them shelter, food and medical facilities. 

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk