Imran lauds youth fund raising efforts

LAHORE: Tehrik-i-Insaaf leader Imran Khan held a function at Zaman Park as part of his flood relief programme, New Seeds of Hope. Students from 38 local school participated in a question and answer session with Khan.

Khan said sports had taught him about leadership, bravery and honesty. He said that being human was being inherently political and encouraged students to be aware of issues and participate in politics.

Khan said the flood relief programme was to provide A-grade seeds to farmers across Pakistan. Lahore University of Management Sciences dean of the Business School said that the programme hoped to engage urban youth in selling Rs200 tickets which helped finance the seeds programme. He said the young people had collected Rs15 million and 100,000 bags of seeds had been distributed.

“It’s not about collecting money, it’s about giving an opportunity to children to be part of the country,” said Aleema Khan Imran Khan Foundation board member.

The top 11 sellers averaged over Rs24,000 each. Bloomberg’s Fatima Mehru raised Rs80,000, Lahore Grammar School’s (LGS’s) Zahra Malik raised Rs90,000 while Beaconhouse Defence’s Talal Shakoori raised Rs108,000.

Malik said that it was Khan’s persona that inspired her to raise fund for flood victims.

“I went to my family and friends because I had heard of the initiative,” said Malik. “I wanted to raise money for the people of Pakistan and because I am a big fan of Imran Khan.

Bloomfield Hall Girls School student Marukh Khan explained that they had organised bake sales and performance shows to raise money for the cause.

“We went to different markets such as Pace, there was one boy who was cleaning windshields and gave money for the cause,” said Khan.

Organisers said that if the security situation allowed, after the World Cup there would be an opportunity for the top sellers to play with Khan at Gaddafi Stadium.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 7^th, 2011.