MQM TO ESTABLISH RELIEF CAMPS TO SUPPORT THE VICTIMS OF THE FLOOD AND
HEAVY RAINS IN SINDH, BALOCHISTAN AND NWFP

APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE OF PAKISTAN TO SUPPORT AND PROVIDE RELIEF GOODS

Karachi - 1^st July 2007

The MQM Deputy Convenor Dr Farooq Sattar while addressing a press conference in Karachi has stated that to provide relief to the victims of floods causing devastation in the Province of Sindh, Balochistan and NWFP, the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) has announced to commence its relief operation. The central relief camp has been established at the Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation (KKF) in Block 14, Federal B Area, Karachi. Another relief camp will be establish at the KKF Office in Hyderabad. The MQM has also organised a Relief Monitoring Cell that will oversee the relief activities. Dr Sattar said that you may well be aware that as a result of the devastation caused by flooding in Balochistan several cities have been critically affected, hundreds of people have lost their lives and hundreds are still missing, hundreds are still trapped in their homes, entire communities have wiped out and the roads, bridges and communication system has damaged. Similarly in the Provinces of Sindh and NWFP several areas have been affected as a result of flooding and rainstorms causing heavy loss of lives and property; several villages and shanty towns have been damaged as a result, thousands are homeless and left destitute as a result and are in dire need of relief in the form of food including milk, clean drinking water and other relief goods. It is, therefore, we the MQM appeal to the people of Pakistan in general and the affluent community in particular to come forward and support the MQM in this noble cause. We are optimistic and determined that once again the MQM will play its due role with the support of the people of Pakistan in providing relief to the affected. We also earnestly appeal to the President of Pakistan General Pervez Musharraf, the Prime Minster Shaukat Aziz and the Federal Cabinet that in light of the natural catastrophe and the damage caused as a result to immediately announce the affected areas of Sindh, Balochistan and NWFP as disaster areas, provide tax relief to the people of these areas, announce special relief package and to accelerate the relief activities of the government and do their utmost. We the MQM stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Sindh, Balochistan and NWFP in their time of need and express our heartfelt sympathies, fullest support and cooperation. We also extend our sorrow and grief to the families of those who lost their lives and pray to Almighty Allah to grant them high ranks and provide solace to the family members.