Soomro for upholding cause of earthquake affectees
By Asim Hussain

ISLAMABAD—The courage, resilience and spirit of sharing and caring demonstrated by the people during the earthquake and post-earthquake period will undoubtedly go down in history as an epoch- making episode that would continue to steel the nerves of our successors for a very long time to come.
This was stated by the Chairman Senate, Mr. Mohammedmian Soomro while inaugurating an exhibition and auction of paintings by renowned Egyptian Artist and painter, Mr. Ahmed Mubarik here Tuesday evening. The entire income from the exhibition/auction entitled “Art for Healing”, organized in collaboration with NCHD, will be utilized for reconstruction of a boys high school in Battal, near Manshera which was destroyed by the earthquake last year.
He said that the people responded to this calamity in a remarkable manner and a common bond was established from Karachi to Khyber. Not only the government agencies and international organizations but also the civil society organizations, NGOs etc. mobilized their efforts for reconstruction and rehabilitations of the people affected by the earthquake. The media, he said also played a very positive role in projecting the cause of the affectees. ‘It was certainly our finest hour’, he observed. The Chairman Senate said that complete rehabilitation of the devastated areas and the affected people is a gigantic task which cannot be accomplished by the government alone. It not only requires a lot of effort and sources but also persistence and will power. However, the nation is determined to convert adversity into opportunity as for as reconstruction is concerned. He called upon to all segments of the society to come forward and help mitigate the sufferings of those affected by the October 8th earthquake. He said it is about time to share their grief and to extend all possible help in reconstruction. He lauded the efforts of NCHD and said other organizations should emulate the noble example set by them.
The Chairman especially commended the efforts of Overseas Pakistanis, who donated generously for reconstruction and rehabilitation of the affected people. He also appreciated international voluntary organizations for their support and assistance. He said that the overwhelming response during natural disasters like earthquake in Pakistan, Tsunami in the Far Eastern region and Katrina in the US all re-enforced our belief in the inherent good in humanity and the capacity to rise above one-self during trials and tribulations for sharing others grief.