LCCI delegation gives ten million for earthquake victims and takes favour from CM Punjab

Lahore: A delegation of Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by its newly-elected President Sohail Lashari met Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif here today and presented a cheque for Rs. 10 million for Prime Minister’s relief fund for earthquake affectees of Balochistan on behalf of LCCI. Chairman Lahore Transport Company Khawaja Ahmad Hasaan, Member National Assembly Pervaiz Malik, outgoing president of LCCI Farooq Iftikhar, senior vice president Tariq Misbah and vice president Kashif Anwar were also present on the occasion.

Talking to the delegation, the Chief Minister said that the recent earthquake has caused large scale devastation in Balochistan and help and assistance to the affectees is a national and religious responsibility. He said that the losses caused by natural calamities can be made up only with humanitarian spirit and national thinking. He said that Pakistani nation has always extended generous help to its affected brethren. He said that it is a matter of satisfaction that in response to his appeal, philanthropists are donating generously to the relief fund for the calamity-stricken people of Balochistan, however, there is a need to further accelerate this process so that relief activities for the affected brethren could be expedited.

He said that well-to-do segments of the society should donate cash amounts to the Prime Minister’s relief fund. He said that philanthropists have always come to the help of the distressed brethren and they should take an active part in this noble cause this time as well. He said that relief goods are being sent to the affected areas of Balochistan by C-130 planes and the helicopter of Punjab government while Deputy Speaker of Punjab Assembly Sher Ali Gorchani, provincial ministers and concerned officers are present in the devastated areas of Balochistan to supervise relief effort.

The Chief Minister said that a liaison office has been established in Lasbela. Shahbaz Sharif appreciated the humanitarian spirit of the industrial and business community and said that donation of ten million rupees by LCCI is commendable. He said that LCCI has always donated generously at the time of need including floods, earthquakes and other occasions. The Chief Minister said that the problems of traders and industrialists of LCCI would be resolved on priority basis.

In response to the request of LCCI delegation, the Chief Minister issued instructions for the formation of a committee headed by Commissioner Lahore Division regarding the measures taken at industrial units and factories during anti-dengue campaign and directed that the committee, with the consultation of LCCI President and other office-bearers, present a practicable solution to the problem.

LCCI President Sohail Lashari and other members of the delegation assured the Chief Minister that they would play an active role for the relief and rehabilitation of earthquake-hit people and they would not be left alone in the hour of need. The delegation paid tributes to Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif for speedy completion of development activities in Lahore and said that he has made commendable efforts for the solution of their problems.