EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS IN AASHIANA RECEIVED CHEQUES
A Cheque Distribution Ceremony was held in “Aashiana” which was established for Earthquake affected Widows and Orphans at Hattian. Federal Minister for Social Welfare & Special Education Mrs. Zobaida Jalal, ambassador of Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Govt. Mr. Ali Saeed Awad Asseri, Secretary M/o Social Welfare & Special Education Mr. Naeem Khan, Managing Director Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal Brig (R) Muhammad Sarfraz and representatives of AJK and NWFP governments were also present on this occasion.
To cater the immediate needs of shelter of earthquake victims, Brig (R) Muhammad Sarfraz, Managing Director, Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal conceived a plan for rehabilitation of these victims and discussed with Mrs. Zubaida Jalal, Federal Minister who presented this plan to the President of Pakistan and was appreciated and approved.
The task of establishing Aashina as President’s initiative for the rehabilitation of destitute, widows and orphans at Hattian was assigned to Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal for execution. In a very short time of 9 days Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal completed the whole project including boarding and lodging with capacity upto 1500 families with allied facilities of high school for education, vocational institute for training, hospital for treatment, in coordination with Pakistan Army under the patronage of Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education.
Aashina was inaugurated on 18th November, 2005 by President of Pakistan alongwith Mr. Kofi Anan, Secretary General, United Nation’s. Soon after its establishment the project was handed over to Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education for administrative control.
After providing sustenance for ten months, an exit strategy was planned to relocate them to their native areas and this ceremony is not the end of efforts. Earthquake Rehabilitation & Reconstruction Authority (ERRA) and Governments of NWFP and AJK will continue assistance to the victims in the future as well. Mrs. Zubaida Jalal, Federal Minister for Social Welfare & Special Education has been the focal person of all rehabilitation activities. She personally felt agony faced by the victims of the earthquake as she herself visited Aashiana number of times. She kindled rays of hope amongst the victims and directed Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal to launch different projects for rehabilitation of these victims.
Ambassador of Royal Kingdom Ali Saeed Awadh Asseri addressing the ceremony said that Saudi Arabia had decided to build 10,000 houses for destitute for which site would soon be selected. He further said that a committee was working to ensure maximum help to the earth quake victims. Later on, the Federal Minister and Saudi ambassador distributed cheques worth of Rs.35 million among 414 orphans of Aashiana.
Federal Minister thanked the Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its consistent assistance in rehabilitating the earthquake victims since October 8, 2005.