Atif Aslam planning to open an NGO

KARACHI: Strings, Sabri Brothers and Arif Lohar are doing telethons to raise funds for the flood victims. Ali Zafar is going through the details of doing shows to collect aids. Salman Ahmad is reprising his early hit as a flood song to

motivate people. All these and many more.

When Pakistan is facing the worst natural disaster in its history, many music icons of the country are actively participating to assuage the sufferers.

While some music celebrities are donating funds and urging their fans to give generously for the rehabilitation of flood survivors, a few singers are out in the field to provide relief marked by their personal presence.

After moving through the affected areas to provide relief to the sufferers, Atif Aslam is motivated enough to set up his own humanitarian organisation. After visiting Charsadda, Aslam has plans to go to other disaster locations. Talking to The Express Tribune about his recent activities regarding the flood relief, Aslam said, “I am certainly now planning to open up an NGO. We have visited Charsadda, we are going to move to Muzaffargarh. A visit to Swat is even being planned out.”

Earlier this week, Shehzad Roy was also in Balochistan where after having an aerial view of the submerged areas, he launched camps to distribute relief to the victims.

Abrarul Haq is currently on a relief mission , along with his family members. The family is visiting different flood-affected areas like Nowshera and Muzaffargarh.

Other than providing the relief items, the group has been doing iftars with them.  “I’m taking my family along to lift the spirit of people out there,” Haq told Daily Express. The singer who is also raising funds for the campaign said, “Every single rupee donated is being provided to the sufferers. We do not believe in making a show of our humanitarian work.” Talking about Sahara Trust, he said, “The organisation is a bridge between the victims and the people who can afford to help them. We’re trying to raise as much funds as possible.”

Though not in the affected areas, Hadiqa Kiani, in collaboration with the Pakistan Army, has been listing down the most imported items needed by the flood victims and was spotted buying these items in bulk. Kiani went on to take personal care of the items by preparing relief boxes, carrying gifts along with the necessary stuff.

The singer also marked her presence when the donations collected from her fans and associates were being loaded by the army officials.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 22^nd, 2010.