Businessmen, banks contribute generously for flood relief

Top business bodies and banks, during the meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari at Bilawal House here on Friday, expressed their deep concern over the colossal losses in flood affected areas of Sindh, and generously announced contributions for their relief and rehabilitation.
The President of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Ghulam Ali, said that the apex body has prepared 30,000 ration packs worth Rs 140 million for flood affected areas. He said that these packets, carrying ration of one month for a family of seven members, were ready with FPCCI for distribution in affected areas. He said FPCCI has already contributed Rs 100 million for relief and rehabilitation work.
President of Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI), Naveed A Khan, said the amount of donation from members for flood relief work had crossed Rs 200 million, and this would go up with the passage of time. Last year, OICCI contributed more than Rs 1 billion towards flood affectees. "This year we are hoping to get better than last year," he added.
Business leader and former president of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Siraj Kassem Teli, said Rs 20 million has so far been mobilised, and more was being collected for relief and rehabilitation work. He urged the President to stay in Karachi as motivating force to keep everybody moving for relief and rehabilitation work in inundated areas.
Chairman of Hilal-e-Ahmer, Yasin Malik said that his organisation had distributed 55,000 bags of ration among the flood victims and installed water purification plants in affected areas. Managing Director of Pak Libya Holding Company, Kamal Uddin Khan also presented a cheque worth Rs 10 million to President Asif Ali Zardari for flood affectees.
Chairman of Pakistan Business Council, Asad Umer, said that his Council has mobilised Rs 150 million for flood relief activities and would arrange one million meals for flood affectees. Leading businessman and stock broker Arif Habib suggested to the government to impose half a percent of sales tax to generate Rs 30 billion for flood victims.