PAA President Ejaz Khan Visits Quake-Hit Areas
President Pakistan Australia Association (PAA) Ejaz Khan returned home after two-week trip to Pakistan. During his stay he met with Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan and visited the earthquake-hit areas to personally witness the large-scale rehabilitation work being carried out there by PAA’s partner charity World Vision.
According to PAA’s press release to
Sada-e-Watan, during his visit to AJK, Ejaz Khan toured various areas including
Mansehra, Balakot and Kaghan Valley accompanied by World Vision Country Director
Chance Briggs. During his visit to those areas Ejaz Khan was informed that the
organization had distributed over 50,000 tents and food items to the affected
families. “Besides, they have set up a tent city comprising 200 tents on a block
of land,” Ejaz was briefed. In the tent city food, shelter and medical needs of
the people were being met, the press release said.
Ejaz said, “He talked to community leaders of the people staying in the tent
city who expressed satisfaction at the facilities being provided to them.” They,
however, requested for rain-proof arrangements for cooking as currently they
were facing difficulties in preparing food outside when it rained.
According to the press release, the PAA president also visited special units
established by the World Vision for disadvantaged children. In these units the
children remained under the care of close and distance relatives, it said,
adding, World Vision was providing books and other study material to the kids in
those units.
Reflecting on his visit the PAA president said that although the earthquake had
caused devastation at a very large scale but in many areas the life was crawling
back to normal and the people look positive about the future.He said, “The
earthquake affectees living in tents confirmed that they have received Rs 25000.
from the total grant of Rs 125000. announced by the Pakistan government for
them.” The second installment of Rs 75000 would soon be released, Ejaz was
informed.
During his visit Ejaz also met Gen. Khalis Munir Khan and discussed in length
the economic and social issues facing Pakistan.Gen. Khan is the brother of Dr.
Ghani Khan, renowned ENT Specialist and has established a non-governmental
organization REACH. REACH is carrying out a variety of works in educational and
social sectors.
