British politicians have lauded the efforts of the UK-based Pakistan Journalists Association in helping the Pakistan flood relief programme as well as those of other charities currently engaged in rehabilitation works that are providing succour to the victims of last summer’s natural disaster. Speaking at an event in Southall, West London, on Friday evening , which was arranged to shine a spotlight on the visit of the PJA delegation to the flood affected areas, British parliamentarian Virendra Sharma and Julian Bell, Leader of the Ealing Council, praised the work of the Association in raising funds and distributing it among the affected people. MP Sharma said the entire British community, irrespective of its ethnic background, donated liberally towards the Pakistan floods which have gone long a way long towards the rehabilitation of the distressed people and the reconstruction of their destroyed infrastructure.

He said the diverse community of Southall has always come to the humanitarian assistance of the suffering people, whether it was the 2004 Asian Tsunami, 2005 Pakistan earthquake, last year’s Haiti earthquake or the unprecedented summer floods in Pakistan. A top official of a leading British mobile company which sponsored the event said the organisation has always been in the forefront of humanitarian work around the world.

Cashmir Nigel said Lycamobile, which provides low-cost international calls to various destinations around the world, is dedicated to supporting the Pakistani community which has brought a colourful heritage to the UK. He disclosed that since the company was established in 2006, some 40 million international calls have been made to Pakistan by overseas Pakistanis around the world.

The members of PJA including Vice-president Tahir Chaudhry, secretary-general Wajahat Ali Khan and member of the executive council Razia Sultana spoke of their experience in the flood affected areas and praised the Pakistan Army for its support in enabling the delegation to visit various affected areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. During the week-long visit which took place in October last year, the PJA delegation also met Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. On this occasion, the guests were entertained by a live performance from up-and-coming singer Raja Kaasheff and his jazz band. Later this month, Kaasheff will be performing alongside a 100-man western classical music orchestra to raise funds for Pakistani floods.