Business community donates Rs8b for earthquake victims, says Hafeez
By Asad Cheema

ISLAMABAD—Federal Minister for Privatization and Investment Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh said the local business community has donated Rs. 8 billion for assistance of the earthquake victims.
Talking to newsmem here on Saturday after receiving donation of 20 winterize tents for quake affected people from M/s OMV Exploration and Production Dr. Hafeez Shaikh said “M/s OMV has shown a good gesture and contribution is appreciable”.
He said OMV has also contributed $0.5 million towards Presidents Earthquake Fund for earthquake affectees.
Dr Hafeez Shaikh who is also head of fund raising committee of the businessmen said the response of the business community is quite excellent and they are extending generous support for the quake victims.
“The businessmen have so far provided Rs.8 billion for assistance to the earthquake affectees in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir and NWFP” he added.
The quake affectees are facing multiple problems and they desperately need protection from severe winter season particularly in the wake of snow falling.
The tents donated by OMV would definitely help the quake affectees and provide them safeguard to certain extent, he added.
Dr. Hafeez Shaikh said assistance to quake victims is an on going process and it would continue till complete rehabilitation of all the affectees.
Dr. Harald Osel, Finance Manager of OMV speaking on the occasion said “We had already donated 40 winterize tents to the quake affectees thus the total donation has come to 60 tents.
He said these tents had the capacity to provide protection to the affectees in very severe winter conditions.