A group of Pakistanis has announced the launch of a massive awareness program aimed at motivating fellow Pakistanis to donate generously for the victims of floods that have ravaged large parts of the country and displaced more than 14 million people. Rana Abdur Rauf, president of the Majlis-e-Pakistan (MEP), a Riyadh-based social organization run by Pakistani businessmen and other prominent community leaders, told a press conference that low income members of the Pakistan community in the Kingdom would be the target of the donation campaign. Other MEP members present at the press briefing were Mian Abdul Hamid, general secretary, Ali Uddin, joint secretary, Asif Qureshi, patron and Dr. Zafar Elahi, advisor. “We don't collect funds. What we do is just motivate by creating awareness among the members of the Pakistani community living in Riyadh,” said Abdur Rauf. He said that when the northwestern region of Pakistan was devastated by an earthquake, the MEP was instrumental in mobilizing community members to donate funds for rescue and relief operations. Dr. Elahi made an elaborate power point presentation that highlighted Al-Khidmat Foundation flood relief efforts in Khaibar Pakhtunkhwa. He said the foundation has deployed 255 ambulances and 15,000 volunteers, who are not only rescuing people from deep floodwaters but are also providng health services by setting up free medical camps. “The magnitude of this natural calamity is so huge that the foundation has had to increase the initial 19 free medical camps to 75. The demand is still increasing as floodwaters continue to submerge towns and villages due to the ongoing rains,” he said. MEP is urging the Pakistani business community to save money by curtailing expenses and diverting the savings to aid flood victims. Qureshi said the impact of the MEP awareness campaign has started to show results, as a number of Pakistanis have donated a month's salary for flood victims. “The Pakistani community has always shown warmth and enthusiasm whenever their fellow countrymen have needed their help and have always come forward with generous contributions,” he said.
