Trades and industrialists while expressing grief over the devastations caused by the earthquake have urged businessmen and general public to come forward to help and provide all possible relief to the affectees. President North Karachi Association of Trade and Industry (NKATI), Syed Iqtidar Ali expressed deep grief over the massive life and property losses due to earthquake which jotted several areas of the country on Monday afternoon.
He said that the association was standing with affected families and will not leave the brother and sisters alone in this hour of trial. "The loss of precious live due to earthquake is a national disaster and we all needed to join hands for rescue and relief activities, by shunning personal and political differences. The nation has to be vigilant and activate all concerned departments for conducting relief and rescue operation in the areas affected by the earthquake.
He praised Army chief for quick action, who undertook immediate measure for rescue and rehabilitation of affected people. He hoped that entire nation will stand united to help people who were adversely affected. The leadership of Businessmen Group and office-bearers of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) have expressed deep grief and sorrow over colossal loss of lives caused by an extremely horrifying and lethal earthquake of 8.1 magnitude.
In a statement issued, former President KCCI Siraj Kasim Teli, Tahir Khaliq, Zubair Motiwala, Haroon Farooki and Anjum Nisar, President KCCI Younus Muhammad Bashir, Senior Vice President KCCI Zia Ahmed Khan and Vice President KCCI Muhammad Naeem Sharif noted that more than 270 people have lost their lives due to the devastating earthquake so far and thousands have been injured whereas more than 2,000 houses were also damaged in various cities and villages in Pakistan, particularly those situated in KPK province.
They feared that the losses caused by worst-ever earthquake in the history of Pakistan may rise further on completion of rescue operation and the evaluation being carried out by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
BMG leadership appreciating the quick response of Pakistani government and the armed forces towards this tragic incident , said that the government of Pakistan and the military forces were doing a fine job by promptly undertaking rescue operation and immediately dispatching relief goods and medical teams to the quake-hit areas of Pakistan. Underscoring the need to devise an effective strategy for effectively dealing with such situations, they advised the government to make National and Provincial Disaster Management Authorities more proactive with a view to minimise the sufferings caused by these natural calamities.