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The repercussions of the assassination of Benazir
Bhutto Shaheed are far-fetched and the impact
of this unfortunate incident has not only dealt
a severe blow to the country in terms of political
stability and the law and order situation, but
also resulted in major setback to the country’s
growing economy. The investors are fretted over
the spectre of instability and turmoil in the
region and therefore planning on pulling back
their investments from the country. The decision
regarding whether the elections would be held
as scheduled on Jan 8 or face delay is expected
to be taken today. Word is that they might be
postponed for at least two months so the tension
could be alleviated. This whole situation has
delivered a major jolt to the hard efforts of
the past and given rise to volatility and destabilised
the investment-friendly atmosphere of the country
The 100-index at the Karachi Stock Exchange
fell almost by 700 points, the worst crash of
its history. Other stock markets of the country
took a nosedive as well. The rupee also hit
a six-year low The manufacturing business in
the country had come to a standstill. Factories
have shut down mainly due to fears of being
damaged or burnt down and low-attendance of
employees. The caretaker government has said
in a statement after a cabinet meeting in Islamabad
that the country has suffered colossal losses
in rioting that erupted following Benazir Bhutto
Shaheed’s assassination with damage of
about Rs 12.38 billion to the Railways alone.
The railway system, already facing shortages
of carriages and locomotives, was hard hit with
22 locomotives and 140 coaches completely burnt
and the railway telecommunications and signalling
systems damaged, the statement said. The impact
of this incident has not only left an impact
on the Pakistan economy but the global economy
as well. The US, European, and Asian stocks
tumbled following the fears of the possibility
of increasing political unrest abroad, which
is always an unsettling prospect for investors.
This was followed by increase in oil prices
since the global oil market was also hit by
fear. Analysts have been baffled over the reaction
of the oil market, since Pakistan is not a big
factor on the oil market. It does not have any
real oil and gas reserves or is a major importer
of crude oil at present. The world gold prices
also rose as some investors moved out of stocks
and into safer assets. It is yet to be determined
what further repercussions would the world face
due to this global tragedy in the days to come.
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Politics
and serving the people!
Historical achievements of Khidmat-e-Khalq
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By Syed Hamid Hussain Abidi
Former Information Adviser, Sindh Government
All major political parties of the country
have been claiming to serve the people
without any discrimination, especially
when the election comes near, but the
people have now become politically aware
that they can judge themselves that who
is really sincere with them and for whom
they should cast their precious vote.
The mainstream parties have declared their
party manifesto and in this regard, the
role of media is very important.
To serve the masses without any discrimination,
MQM Chief Altaf Hussain has established
Khidmat-e-Khalq, an NGO, who played a
vital role especially when strong earthquake
hit some areas of the country on Oct 8,
2005.
MQM’s ideological and philosophical
approach encompasses the concept of service
to humanity without any prejudice or discrimination.
The Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation (KKF) is
a highly organised, active and effective
social organisation. Its services are
spread over a very wide spectrum. Today,
the KKF is known throughout the country
for its social services. The Founder and
Leader of the MQM, Mr. Altaf Hussain and
his colleagues have served the destitute
and the needy long before the MQM came
into existence.
Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation has aided the
poor, the deprived and the deserving;
irrespective of their color, cast, creed
and religion, that symbolizes KKF as their
only friend and hope.
KKF provides financial support on monthly
basis to all those students and widows
who have no means of financial support.
All such deserving widows and students
are issued special cards. These poor widows
and students by showing their card at
the KKF Central Office receive the money
apportioned for them every month. The
widows are given aid on the basis of the
number of household members in their homes.
This way Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation is
supporting thousands of people.
The marriage of girls whose parents are
from low-income group is a major social
and financial problem. In many cases such
girls have to face this problem themselves.
The KKF provides financial help to such
parents for the arrangement of marriages
of their daughters.
Mr. Altaf Hussain always preaches to his
associates that maximum and every possible
help and assistance should be extended
to the poor, needy and helpless people.
He himself derives great satisfaction
in personally helping the deserving people.
It is the result of his training that
whether it be the establishing of cheap
fruit stalls in Ramazan-ul-Mubarak, or
Free Bazar or mobile dispensaries, the
KKF volunteers provide help to poor and
deserving people without any hesitation.
They neither want any reward nor seek
any praise. Their only concern is that
no needy person be left out from their
assistance programmes. This selfless service
is the ideology of Mr. Altaf Hussain.
KKF is actively engaged in its effort
to mitigate the sufferings of hundred
of thousand of poor and needy people.
In my opinion, every political party should
establish such welfare organization, in
this way the country will be prosperous
and the a trend of serving the people
without any discrimination by the political
parties will be started.
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