The Cabinet Committee on Fund Raising from business community for earthquake survivors has realised more than Rs 8.4 billion and it is continuing efforts to get more funds from other business groups.
Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh said here on Saturday that he would contact the local business group to share more for the survivors. He was addressing a ceremony for receiving a consignment of winterised tents for earthquake victims of Azad Jammu & Kashmir and NWFP areas here.
Dr Georg Wachtel, General Manager, OMV Pakistan, handed over a consignment of 20 winterised tents to Dr Hafeez for the survivors. Each tent has heating facility and allied fixtures.
OMV Austria has already dispatched 40 such tents to the affected areas in addition to cash contribution of $0.5 million to the President's Relief Fund.
The Minister appreciated OMV Austria for support for the affected people and said that its help would set a an example for timely help of the survivors. He urged other multinationals, which operate in Pakistan, that they should also come forward and contribute to President's Relief Fund to help in protecting the survivors from biting winter. He termed the winter as a big threat to the victims, particularly for children and aged persons.
He said that most of the companies, which had earlier made contributions on the appeal of the Committee, were increasing their donations. He appealed to business groups and entrepreneurs to come forward to take part in this noble task and share the miseries of the earthquake affected people by taking significant steps to help the victims.