From losing loved ones to new beginnings

Gathering held to introduce Shaheed Hashim Masood Memorial Trust and raise donations for flood victims.

RAWALPINDI: Friends, family members and high officials gathered at the Ordnance Mess in Rawalpindi on Sunday to show support to Retired General Masood Aslam’s venture to establish Shaheed Hashim Masood Memorial Trust (SHMMT). It was the first donor gathering of the trust, which was formed after his son, Hashim Masood, who died in a December 4 Parade Lane Mosque incident last year. A total of 46 people, including military personnel and 17 children, died during the incident.

The event was organised to introduce the trust as well as raise donations for the victims of the flood-stricken provinces that are facing immense troubles, even months after the catastrophe. Tables were set up in the sprawling lawns of the army mess and arrangement was made for the guests in the hall. A documentary visualising the Trust’s mission and work was screened for the audience. Family members and friends came on the podium to pay homage to their lost loved ones and a slide show of 20-year-old Hashim’s pictures brought tears to everyone’s eyes.

Governor K-P Owais Ghani, senior government officials, army personnel, parliamentarians and social workers participated in the event and appreciated the trust’s vision.

Addressing the audience, K-P Governor Owais Ghani said, “There were several times when I thought about the price we might have to pay while conducting military operations in the province, and the parade lane incident was the price that we paid.”

He added, “We have lost precious lives but we have always come back stronger and better.”

President of the Trust General (retd) Masood Aslam said that it will concentrate on providing employment, education and entrepreneurial opportunities within the rural community, along with humanitarian assistance for the flood affected people. “I believe in the people of K-P, during my three years here, I saw them fall and rise,” said Aslam.

The trust was established in January 2010 and is now a registered body with the government of Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 13^th, 2010.