Rs3.3bn mobilized for quake relief
Staff Report

ISLAMABAD—The Cabinet Committee on Fund Raising from Business Community for Earthquake Relief has so far mobilized an amount of Rs. 3.3 billion from 139 domestic business groups for the President of Pakistan Relief Fund and it would increase further in the coming days. Minister for Privatization and Investment Dr. Hafeez Shaikh. who is also Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Fund Raising, said in a statement issued here Friday. He said that the Cabinet Committee secretariat has so far approached over 900 business chambers, associations, Overseas Pakistanis and Pakistani Missions during the past four days. The response received was more than encouraging, which reflected that the Pakistani nation has always come forward and united themselves in the hour of grief and sorrow and helped each other with a devoting spirit, the Minister stated. Dr. Hafeez Shaikh urged the business groups to contribute more donations towards the President’s Relief Fund to overcome the miseries of the devastating earthquake victims swiftly to win the race against time. The unprecedented response by the people from all walks of life has given a new hope of life to the people of the effected areas, he added. He informed that Trading Corporation of Pakistan has announced to donate sufficient quantity of sugar for the affected areas while Minister of State for Commerce has indicated funds worth Rs. 155 million from State Life Insurance Corporation, National Insurance Corporation and Pakistan Tobacco Board. The State Bank of Pakistan has already issued instructions to all banks and financial institutions to assist the Ministry of Privatization & Investment in fund raising. The appeal for fund raising has so far received very quick and warm response from the business community. A sum of Rs. 2,839.63 million has been raised for the President’s Relief Fund, Rs. 70.7 million to other relief funds and contribution in kind worth Rs. 377.25 million, the Minister gave the breakup. The details of the donations and contributions made by various business groups as on October 14, 2005 includes Pakistan Telecommunication Authority Rs. 200 million, National Highway Authority Rs. 220 million, Citibank Rs. 180 million, Pakistan Petroleum Exploration & Production Companies Association Rs. 154.6 million, Al-Warid Telecom Rs. 120 million, Pepsi Cola Rs.120 million, Pharma Bureau Karachi Rs. 100 million, SLIC Rs 100 million, Fauji Foundation Rs.100 million, Bank Al-Falah Rs. 100 million, Askari Commercial Bank Rs. 100 million, All Pakistan Textile Mills Association Rs. 100 million, Punjab Government Rs. 100 million, Telenor Rs. 65 million, Oil & Gas Development Company Rs. 50 million, National Insurance Rs. 50 million, Hubco Rs. 50 million, United Bank Rs. 50 million, Attock Oil Company Limited Rs.48 million, Pak Arab Refinery Rs.40 million, NBP Rs. 35 million, Mansha Group Rs. 35 million, Deutsche Bank Rs. 31.6 million, HBL Rs. 30 million, Motorola Rs. 30 million, Karachi International Container Terminal Rs. 30 million, Serena Hotel/Aga Khan Foundation Rs. 30 million, Eni Pakistan Rs. 30 million, OMV (Pakistan) Exploration Rs. 30 million, Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited Rs. 30 million, Shell Rs. 30 million, ANGRO Chemical Rs. 21 million, PSO Rs. 20 million, Fatima Group Rs. 20 million plus 2 day salary of 8000 employees, MERCK Rs. 20 million, Nestle Milkpak Rs. 20 million (Juices, Milk & Water) and Rs. 20 million (for rehabilitation), Pak Kuwait Investment Company Rs. 20 million, Indus Motors Rs. 20 million, Dewan Farooq Rs. 20 million, Bestway Rs. 20 million, GSK Rs. 20 million, Proctor & Gamble Rs. 20 million, Orix Leasing Pakistan Rs. 15 million, All Pakistan Poultry Association Rs.15 M, Union Bank Rs.15 M, Allied Bank Rs.15 M, ICI, Rs. 15 million, Mr. Muhammad Sajjad Shaikh Bahrain Rs. 10 million, Prime Bank Rs. 10 million, Din Group Rs. 125 million, Kohinoor Maple Leaf Group Rs. 10 million, Pak Refinery Rs. 10 million, CDC Partners Rs. 10 million, Asian Development Bank Rs. 10 million, Gatron/Novatex Rs. 10 million, Arabian Sea Rs. 10 million, Dubai Investment Rs. 8 million, BOC Pakistan Rs. 8 million.