Heartening to see civil society do its part: Chollet

US State Dept adviser says religious organisations, like Jamia Islamia Clifton, an integral part of society

KARACHI:

It is heartening to see people of Pakistan rising up to the challenge of the tragic floods that have devastated the country, said senior US official during his visit to the city's leading religious school, the Jamia Islamia Clifton.

Other American officials along with Head Jamia Islamia Clifton Mufti Abu Bakr Muhyiddin, Cardinal Joseph Coutts and religious and social leaders from different religions were also present on the occasion.

"I am Derek Chollet, the Counselor of the US Department of State. I serve as a Senior Policy Adviser to the Secretary of State on a wide range of issues," he told the seminary teachers and students.

"Let me start with offering my condolences to the families of those who have lost loved ones in the devastating floods throughout Pakistan," he said at the gathering of religious leaders of various faiths.

Religious organisations, like Jamia Islamia Clifton Mosque, are an integral part of civil society, and it is heartening to see civil society do its part during this tragedy that has befallen the Pakistani people, he said.

"It is moving to see interfaith leaders and communities come together to support the humanitarian assistance efforts," the State Dept adviser said.

Karachi Administrator Barrister Murtaza Wahab, while welcoming the US aid for the flood victims, said that we thank the US government for helping Pakistan. "Now is the time to rehabilitate people," he said.

"People need our help, Sindh is facing difficult times now and the people of Sindh are in dire need of relief and help," Wahab added. While appreciating the efforts of the organisations that collected funds to help the flood victims, he said that we need to work together at this time.

"Various institutions and organisations are actively participating in the flood relief work. Our morale is also increasing and the spirit of work has been awakened," he said.

Meeting with CM

CM Murad Ali Shah in his meeting with a US delegation led by Chollet at the Chief Minister House on Friday said that the unprecedented heavy rains and hill torrents have created the biggest ever humanitarian crisis in the province that has affected 10.48 million people.

As many as 600,000 displaced people have been shifted to the shelter camps set up by the government, he said

The meeting was attended by provincial ministers, Sharjeel Inam Memon, Nasir Shah, Murtaza Wahab, Saeed Ghani and top administration officials.

Counselor Chollet reaffirmed that the United States remains steadfast in the support for the affected communities of Pakistan.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 10^th, 2022.