BIRMINGHAM (PNI) Unrelenting commitment and transparency has led Aghosh UK become face of global aid to flood victims of Pakistan, speakers said at an event here in the United Kingdom.
The UK-based charity organization hosted representatives of various welfare organisations, mosques, community leaders, businessmen and local councillors in Birmingham and briefed them about the disastrous situation caused by floods in Pakistan.
Abdus Shakoor, president Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan, was the chief guest at the event.
Alkhidmat Foundation is Pakistan’s largest charity with over 62,000 volunteers whose work during the recent floods has brought applaud to the foundation.
A statement by Aghosh said the meeting allowed UK-based organisations to interact with leadership of Alkhidmat Foundation.
Shakoor told heart wrenching stories of deadly floods which deluged 1/3rd land of Pakistan.
“Alkhidmat Foundation volunteers are unsung heroes of Pakistan who put their lives in danger and rescued people and saved the lives of over 55,000 people,” Shakoor said.
Besides devastating floods that Islamabad says caused damages up to $30 billion, resulted in at least 1,700 deaths and displaced millions of people, Pakistan’s foreign reserves run low, and inflation stands at decades-high levels.
Sadia Malik Head of Commission of Birmingham Consulate, hailed the efforts of Alkhidmat Foundation and briefed the participants about Pakistani government efforts to handle the floods crisis.
Dr Adeel Riaz, Chairman of Aghosh UK, who recently returned home after visiting floods-affected areas in Pakistan gave a detailed presentation during the meeting.
Aghosh UK made a donation of half a million pounds to Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan which is its partner in the South Asian nation.
Adeel said he witnessed huge devastation caused by the floods and urged international community, civil society and government to help Pakistan in this time of need.
Nasir Rafiq, a prominent figure in UK’s charity sector conducted the program and briefed the participants about the organization’s work and how it “rose to grown into a tall tree.”
“Couple a years ago he helped Dr Riaz Ahmed and Fahim Kayani to form Aghosh UK… it took us several months to found Aghosh UK,” he recalled.
Fahim Kayani, co-founder and president Aghosh UK, thanked all participants and urged everyone to unite under the slogan of Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan to “Tameer Nu Watan” – “Rebuild the Nation.’
Kayani said: “We are proud of our partner in Pakistan i.e. Alkhidmat Foundation which has done tremendous and unmatched relief work during the recent floods but still a lot needs to be done.”
“We must support Al Khidmat’s second phase of rehabilitation projects which includes building houses, schools, hospitals and mosques and financial support for agriculture purposes,” Kayani said.
“The commitment of Aghosh UK, its members has brought the organization support from across the British society,” he recalled.
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