Ministers announce flood donations from own salaries

Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo and provincial ministers have decided to donate half of their salaries to the fundraising program initiated for the flood victims in Balochistan.

“The government took the decision to establish a fund for flood victims in order to collect enough money for providing maximum relief to the flood victims,” spokesperson of the Government of Balochistan, Farah Azeem Shah said.

In a statement issued here on Friday, Balochistan government spokesperson said the assistance will be requested from regional and foreign humanitarian organizations and personalities as well as individuals.

“The provincial government will continue its efforts till complete rehabilitation of the flood victims,” she said, requesting the general public to support the fund by donating money.

She said in this hour of need, the people of the country should help the flood victims in Balochistan. About relief operations launched by the government in the calamity-hit areas, she noted that chief minister Balochistan, chief secretary, district administration, Pak Army, PDMA and other relief and rescue organizations were busy day and night to rescue the people and shift them to safe places.

“Instead of criticizing unnecessarily, support the provincial government administration and other organisations engaged in the rescue operation,” she urged.

The spokesperson deplored that unwarranted and baseless criticism was increasing the hardships of the flood victims and spreading despair among them.

There was an urgent need to promote positive trends on electronic and social media as a wave of misinformation and disinformation was engulfing our country, she said.

She lamented that the anti-social elements were trying unsuccessfully to divide us on the basis of nationalism through social media.

“Instead of becoming a tool of the enemy, people should defend their country and homeland on every front,” she said, stressing the need for collective approach in this hour of pain and suffering.

“We as a nation and as Pakistanis should come forward to help the flood victims. Relief and rescue operations are in full swing as the government will not leave the people alone in this difficult time,” she said.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 30^th, 2022.