PR. No.147/2008

Date: 31/05/2008  

PAKISTAN EMBASSY IN BEIJING HOLDS A FUNDRAISER FOR EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

As part of its efforts to contribute towards the relief assistance extended by the Government of Pakistan for the 12 May earthquake affected people of south-western China , the Pakistan Embassy in Beijing organized a Fundraiser Bazaar at the Chancery. The Bazaar included Pakistani food, handicraft, henna and games stalls. A large number of Pakistanis including businessmen, students and media as well as Chinese officials, businessmen and representatives of media organizations, think tanks and universities and members of the diplomatic corps visited the Bazaar.

Madam Yang Jian of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, representing the wife of the Chinese Foreign Minister, expressed gratitude of the Government and people of China to Pakistan for extending relief assistance. Ms. Jian particularly appreciated the gesture of the Government of Pakistan for providing tents from its strategic reserves and termed it as a genuine expression of all-weather Pakistan-China friendship.

The Charge d'Affaires of Pakistan Embassy, Mr. Abdul Salik Khan, reaffirmed the sentiments of sympathy, support and solidarity of the Pakistani people and leadership for the people of China at this hour of trial. Mr. Khan noted that the objective of the Bazar was to collect funds for the assistance of Sichuan earthquake affectees. He thanked the China-based representatives of Habib Bank, National Bank of Pakistan, United Bank and PIA for their generous donations.

Mrs. Taranum S. Bashir, wife of the Foreign Secretary, in her remarks, referred to the prompt support provided by the Government of China to the earthquake affected people of Pakistan in October 2005 and underlined that the people and the Government of Pakistan stood by their Chinese friends in meeting the challenges arising from the Sichuan earthquake. She thanked the representatives of the Chinese companies for their donations to the Fundraiser.

The gathering observed a minute of silence and lit candles in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the earthquake.

The Fundraiser generated over 300,000 Yuan (Rs 3 million) through donations and stalls. The proceeds will be sent to the earthquake victims through the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Islamabad

31 May 2008