Lahore (Rana Ali Zohaib) the biggest television channels in Pakistan joined hands with the government on Thursday to raise funds for the people who have been affected the most by the coronavirus lockdown. The telethon raised Rs550 million. This brought the total fund to more than Rs2.76 billion.
The telethon was held at Prime Minister House with journalists Mohammad Malick, Mansoor Ali Khan, Hamid Mir, Nadeem Malik, and Kashif Abbasi in attendance. Shiffa Yousafzai and Muniba Mazari were the hosts of the transmission.
Here is a list of the pledges made by different people:
• Salamat Ali, a resident of Faisalabad, and his friend donate Rs20 million
• Dr Mansoor Akbar Kundi, the VC of Bahauddin Zakariya University, donates Rs5.5 million on behalf of the varsity’s staff
• Dr Zarqa Suharwardy donats Rs100,000
• Bahrain PDA Information Secretary Rao Sajjad donates $3,000
• An Islamabad resident Sherry Malik donates Rs500,00
• Gas and Oil Pakistan Limited CEO donates Rs12 million
• Dr Afzal Gondal donates $10,000
• Zalif Munir, managing director of English Biscuits, donates Rs100 million
• Khalid Riaz donates Rs12 million
• Javed Anwar from the US donates $200,000
• Islamia University Bahawalpur VC Athar Mehmood donates Rs7 million on behalf of varsity employees
• Tauseef Group Chairman Salamat Ali donates Rs20 million
• Dr Haroon donates Rs200,000
• Dr Fazal from the UAE donates AED2,000
• Singer Salman Ahmed donates $10,000
• Tahir Javed from USA donates Rs15 million
• Syed Asad Hussain from London donates £50,000
• Sajid Qazi donates Rs5 million
• Faheem Siddiqui donates Rs5 million
• Mr Naveed from Saudi Arabia donates Rs10 million and promises 2,000 ration bags
• Rs8 million were raised through SMS during the telethon
• Rs2.2 million each were raised via Jazz Cash and Easy Paisa
“We are in a situation that the world has never seen before,” said Prime Minister Imran Khan. “The effects of the coronavirus lockdown will be seen soon.” As we are living in extraordinary times, then our response should also be something that has never happened before, he remarked.
The nation must be united in this as no government can combat this pandemic alone, the PM added.
The coronavirus is contagious and spreads very quickly, he said, adding that people have to practice social distancing to stay safe.
The telethon started with motivational speaker Muniba Mazari encouraging people to donate for the great cause and help those in need during the pandemic.
Maulana Tariq Jameel urges people to abstain from vices
At the end of the telethon, renowned religious scholar Maulana Tariq Jameel also expressed his thoughts and prayed for the well-being of the country.
He said PM Khan took over the country in a bad state. How far he can fix things up, Maulana Jameel remarked.
The religious scholar urged the masses to abstain from lying, dishonesty, and indecency. No calamity can be fought back through lies or dishonesty,” he said. “We can’t gain acceptance before Almighty Allah with lies.”
Maulana Jameel said the virus would vanish if the people appeased Almighty Allah through their deeds. “We will have to demonstrate humility by bowing before Almighty Allah,” he said. “Natural calamities can’t be fought.”
Ever since the government was forced to impose a lockdown across the country in a bid to stop the spread of coronavirus, the daily wage worker has been suffering.
The government has already approved an Rs200 billion cash assistance program for those working in the industrial sector. Many of them have lost their jobs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.