Adil Najam and Owais Mughal
As Mosharraf Zaidi wrote in his post yesterday: “In the long run, only Pakistan can help Pakistan.”
As long-time readers of this site know, central to our notion of Pakistaniat is the idea that taking national responsibility is as important as having national pride. With the number of displaced Pakistanis fleeing from the violence and mayhem in Swat and other areas on the rise and given the dire need to act in this hour of need, we at All Things Pakistan are committed to donate part of our advertising revenue to support the relief efforts. We hope that some of you will join us and also chip in with whatever contributions you can.
We realize that many of our readers are already doing so through other means. We salute you.
We also realize that many others who are able to make larger contributions, will do so through more formal channels of giving. We urge you to do so in urgency.
But we also realize that some may not yet have found a right venue to give or may be thinking that what they can contribute is so small will not make a difference. If you are one of them, do please consider giving – no matter how small an amount – through the widget on this page (you can pay through a credit card or a PayPal account). We will consolidate these contributions and add to these our own and find a cause that can directly and immediately help those in such great need. Please also suggest to us what are the best ways to get whatever we collect and contribute through our advertising to the IDPs. We will consider your suggestions on who to give this money to, how, and for what, as we make that final decision.
It does not matter how large your contribution is; its the thought that counts. It does not even matter whether you give through our drive or to any other worthy cause. It matters only that we do not remain silent and we do act. In whatever way we can. To whatever extent we can. Through whatever means we can.
Mosharraf Zaidi reminded us yesterday how Pakistanis everywhere came together to respond to the needs of those distressed by the horrific earthquake a few years ago. He also reminded us that, “The response to the earthquake must not be a one-off demonstration of humanity. It must prove to be the rule in Pakistan.”
Let us please take his call to heart; and to open up our own hearts. For us, as important as the money collected is how many people contribute, no matter what the amount. Because the number of people who speak up in support for these Pakistanis who are fighting all of our battles for us is itself a vote saying that we are a nation and as a nation we stand together in times of need.
Some years ago I wrote a book titled “Portrait of a Giving Community” – it argued that we Pakistanis are a generous and giving people. The devastating Earthquake hit just as the book was being published and it demonstrated the point I was trying to make.
Today, it is time yet again to make the same point. Please do help us in doing so.
Friends, just to let you know that a first batch of support was sent to the Edhi foundation for relief efforts for the displaced people from Swat.
We are continuing our drive and our thanks to those who have been contribiting. I do hope others will too. We at ATP remain committed to sending more relief from our own Ad revenue as well as whatever we collect here. So, please, if you can do keep giving.
More than that, please do keep sharing information on best means and organizations to give through. We have heard from a number of readers who are giving large amounts and want to give directly through organizations… please do advise them (and encourage them) through your comments on possibilities.
We have to remember that the Taliban and their supporters are using this crisis to recruit people. That is what they did with the Afghan camps which is there Talibans first recruited. they will use this again to build people’s hate against Pakistan and we must not let that happen. We have to show Pakistani solidarity so that we all come stronger an not weaker in what you call “Pakistaniat.”
I had been thinking of donating but had not known where. So glad that yo are able to collect this money and send it to the right source since many of us do not know where to give. Good job, guys.
Bravo to ATP for doing this drive! I second Azra’s suggestion that you continue with the collections. Also thanks to the folks who linked to UNHCR and Edhi.
I was surprised that the bar was not really moving much. They I emptied my Cache on the browser and it suddenly did. Very good work ATP and thank you for doing this. Specially about matching the contribution and adding $1000 of your own. That is the spirit of Pakistaniat.