FAISALABAD: Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) has strongly refuted the allegations of ‘extortion’ of donations for the flood affectees and said that local business community in line with its strong and glorious traditions of philanthropy is voluntarily helping out their brethren in need.
In a statement issued here, FCCI President Engineer Suhail Bin Rashid said that various business organisations and leading businessmen had gathered at the platform of FCCI and expressed concern over huge devastation and damages in our neighbouring districts of Chiniot and Jhang. He said that business community had decided at its own to uphold its past traditions of helping displaced families with an open heart and in according to the teachings of Islam.
The FCCI president denied any pressure on the part of district administration and said that FCCI decided to first collect donations and in later phase, the mode of the distribution of relief goods would be decided. He said that FCCI had so far collected Rs2.5 million and final decision to distribute relief goods are yet to be taken.
However, he clarified that some philanthropists who went to the devastated areas for the distribution of relief goods in their individual capacity were looted. Hence the FCCI members were of the strong view that chamber should involve district administration for the fair and equitable distribution of relief goods among the really needy and deserving families in addition to ensuring the safety of the distribution teams Engineer Suhail Bin Rashid, however asked the businessmen to immediately contact FCCI if anybody uses coercive measures for the collection of donations.
