The Sialkot Garrison Commander, Major General Ashraf Saleem, has urged the business community of Sialkot that they should come forward and take active part in the permanent rehabilitation of quake-hit people.
Addressing the members of business community at the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) here on Saturday, he said that services rendered for providing relief goods and medical facilities by the business community of Sialkot was being highly appreciated in all parts of the country.
Undoubtedly, the tremendous role the business has played would be remembered in all times to come for providing timely relief and medical treatment facilities to the injured persons of earthquake-hit areas, he added.
The garrison commander urged the business community to sponsor at least three rehabilitation villages in Balakot, Muzaffarabad, and in occupied Kashmir for sharing the miseries of quake survivors.
He said the business community of Sialkot could play an instrumental role by contributing generously to the reconstruction programme of the quake affected areas.
Major General Ashraf Saleem said that fiber sheets and other materials are direly needed for undertaking the reconstruction work in quake-hit areas.
He observed that one truck of ration should be dispatched daily from Sialkot to quake-hit areas for fulfilling the demands and requirements of the affectees. In addition to this huge quantity of tents are also required for providing shelter and protecting the affectees from winter season he added.
On this occasion, SCCI President Dr Nouman Idris Butt said the business community of this export-oriented city and nucleus of cottage industry will fulfill its social responsibility and extend full co-operation in relief operation and areas should be identified for co-operation.
The business community of Sialkot and Army would work as a team for the larger national interests and for the welfare of quake affectees, he added.
Pakistan Gloves Manufacturers and Exporters Association Chairman Dr Shumail Saeed Barlas and representatives of trade bodies also attended the meeting.