It started out as a simple SMS "Donations being collected at PAF Base in
Karachi-please forward to as many people as you can" and turned into the one
of the biggest and fastest humanitarian aid efforts in the immediate
aftermath of the quake. By Sunday evening a C130 plane -loaded to the max
with tons of stuff still left behind- left for the quake ravaged areas.
The drive was spearheaded by TV personality - FakhreAlam, he came on cable
channels-Aaj TVand TV One with a plea for help - "Today its Them Tomorrow it
can be Us. Please donate."
On Tuesday night FakhreAlam told Pakistan that; PAF Base had enough aid to
fill 50-60 C130 planes, if not more. He had to request that people stop
giving goods for the time being because they needed to sort,itemize, label
and then airlift but there was no stopping the generosity and spirit that
had permeated the city.
Who gave? All of Karachi. They came in rickshaws, cars, taxi's, vans,
trucks and on bikes, they gave quietly without fanfare or publicity. Some
gave so bigheartedly that FakhreAlam requested certain individuals that
their names be mentioned on TV as encouragement to others but they still
refused. True charity is between the giver and his Creator.
Who helped? The youth of Karachi. Mobilized, enthused and infused with
jazba they have helped tirelessly 24/7. They have to be forced to go
home but no they persist in toiling indefatigably.
I took some pictures at the PAF Base today. A small view into the essence of
Pakistan.
Ayesha Hasan
Karachi
