Karachiites doing the country proud

From what I've heard from various sources, the chaps at the PAF museum are doing a fantastic job. I'm off to Karachi for EID next week - will be able to report first-hand.

Here's a letter from a Karachiite.

AT this time of our national tragedy, in the midst of harrowing news coming from the northern parts of Pakistan, I have witnessed heart-warming scenes in Karachi, the “ghareeb parwar’ city, as it opened its heart to alleviate the suffering of the earthquake-affected people. People in other cities must also be striving hard, but what I have witnessed in Karachi renewed my faith in the generosity of the human spirit.

As I drove to the Pakistan Air Force Museum, which had been declared as one of the many collection centres for relief goods, I saw an endless stream of vehicles, bumper-to-bumper, stretching back some kilometres out on Sharea Faisal. Starting from expensive trendy cars to old rundown vehicles, all had made a disciplined beeline, taking whatever relief supplies they could afford. There was no honking, no overtaking.

With patient perseverance, the citizens of Karachi were just concentrating on fulfilling a humanitarian duty with all the love and affection they could muster.

There could not have been a better example of unity, faith and discipline. The most touching scenes were of people on motorcycles carrying bags of sugar, atta and tins of ghee. From the physical appearances of some of these motorcyclists, I was wondering how they could afforded relief goods. The Pakistan Air Force personnel and the civic agencies backing them were, as expected, the epitome of efficiency and dedication. The PAF base commander told me that he was emotionally moved by the response of the citizens of Karachi.

Here it may be mentioned that this was only one of the many collection centres established in Karachi. Numerous other relief collection centres set up by civil and military organizations continue to witness similar scenes. The spirit displayed by the citizens of Karachi augurs well for the future. Given good leadership, Karachi could well become the jewel of the Arabian Sea. Well done, Karachiites. May God bless Pakistan.

MALIK AYAZ HUSAIN TIWANA
Karachi

The way Karachiites are offering help towards the quake victims is undoubtedly the best thing to have come out of this tragedy. Students gather at the PAF museum from dawn to dusk every day despite the heat and Ramazan.

They keep working tirelessly to sort out the donations received. I believe that especially medical students should be asked to go and offer their help in the affected areas. This will prove to be a better test than any they will have had so far in their academic lives.

SUMAIYA ZAIDI
Karachi

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