ISLAMABAD, Feb 8 (APP):Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Wednesday called upon the business community to generously contribute in the Prime Minister Relief Fund for Turkiye Earthquake Victims’ Fund for strengthening their rescue efforts and provide relief to the calamity-hit people of the brotherly nation.
Addressing the business community here, the minister expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the deadly earthquake and prayed to Almighty Allah to rest the departed souls in eternal peace and for early recovery of those injured in the natural calamity.
The minister said that on the special directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the special relief fund account has already been opened and the State Bank of Pakistan has issued a circular to all the commercial banks to issue IBAN numbers for the collection of donations.
Besides, the finance minister said that the members of federal cabinet have also announced to donate their one month salary in the PM fund whereas the Parliamentarians are also expected to contribute in the fund from their salary.
He urged all the chambers of commerce from across the country to mobilize their resources and contribute generously in the fund to extend full support to the Turkish brothers in the time of need.
Ishaq Dar said it was the worst ever earthquake after 1939 in which over 6000 people died in Turkiye and over 2500 people lost their lives in Syria.
He recalled that last year when Pakistan faced devastating floods that caused over $30 billion loss out of which $16 physical losses and $15 billion economic losses, the Turkish President and his wife visited Pakistan to express solidarity with the people of Pakistan and extended heartfelt sympathies.
Now, he said that Turkiye was also facing the similar kind of devastation in shape of earthquake and this is the time to respond with open heart to the Turkish brothers. He said the government has already dispatched some relief package and would continue to sending physical support to Turkiye.
He said he had also directed the SAPM on Revenue and Chairman FBR to give tax relief to those donating in the PM Fund.
Meanwhile he informed that a physical meeting would also be convened soon in which all business leaders would be invited to sort their suggestions to steer the country’s economy out of the prevailing crisis.
The minister said that the negotiations with the International Monetary Fund was also in progress hoping that the dialogues would successfully be concluded soon.
