Resident and overseas Pakistanis responded overwhelmingly to the national cause donating generously nearly an amount of Rs.2 billion in two months on the account of Diamer Bhasha and Mohmand Fund initiated by Supreme Court of Pakistan.
State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the overall value of the donation stands at Rs. 1.99 billion.
The donations received from various cities of Pakistan comprising contributions of individuals and corporations through banking channels and mobile phone service. Donations from overseas Pakistanis received from various countries primarily through credit and debit cards.
State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) updated the statistics from July 06 to September 06, however, the collection of the donation was reported only for 40 days due to weekly and Eid Holidays.
The share of contribution from various cities of Pakistan stands at 99 percent or Rs.1.97 billion as compared to the share of overseas Pakistani that stands merely 1 percent in overall fund collection received by the central bank.
Starting from himself Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar donated an amount of Rs. 1 million for the fund. Sports celebrities like Shahid Khan Afridi and Aamir Khan made pledges to donate Rs. 1.5 million and Rs. 1 million to the fund. There are many philanthropists and businessmen contributed handsomely to the national cause.
Organizations such as HBL donated a sum of Rs. 100 million to the fund. Bank of Punjab and Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry also come forward to donate an amount of Rs. 20 million.
Employees of various organizations donated one or two day salary to the fund including armed forces.
A special service was initiated through mobile phone service for ease of public to donate to the dams’ fund. An amount of Rs. 10 could be donated easily sending an SMS on 8000 with the word Dam.
According to the data, an amount of Rs.57.56 million was received by the central bank from various users of mobile operators by end of September 06.
Jazz with its largest subscribers’ base contributed the amount of Rs. 29.62 million. It is followed by the of Telenor’s users with the contribution of Rs. 11 million. The subscribers of Ufone and Zong donated amounts of Rs. 9.1 million and Rs. 7.8 million through SMS service.
The share of overseas Pakistanis in the overall donation collection was remarkable but its share stands surprisingly at 1 percent with Rs. 21.55 million.
Expatriate from the USA contributed the highest amount of Rs. 5.72 million. Pakistanis living in UK and UAE donated amounts of Rs. 4.19 million and Rs. 4.13 million. Donations from Canada and France stand more than one million, which are Rs. 1.57 million and Rs. 1.38 million respectively. Besides, none other country surpass the value of Rs. 1 million so far.
The least contribution received from overseas Pakistanis received from Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan, which are Rs. 2,478 and R. 3,000. Surprisingly, donations received from Turkey are merely Rs. 3,500. Donations from China and Sweden are merely Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 7,000.
The donations of 40 days were impressive from Pakistani considering their purchasing power and expenses on the account of religious obligations that they performed on Eidul Azha during the period.
Their efforts are valuable and can’t match with the values but the truth is that more money is needed from them.
According to an estimate, a construction of Diamer Bhasha Dam will cost nearly Rs. 1.5 trillion. Assume, if an amount of Rs. 20 million is one day, it will take 72,500 days to reach the target or 199 years.
Of course, the government should allocate the budget in this regard and different foreign and local banks could be involved for the construction of dams though being a Pakistani everyone should come forward to participate in the national cause.
It is expected that the recent speech of PM Imran Khan the donations amount will be increased in the coming days and months.