Ex Pak all rounder Azhar, England bowler Sajid to raise aid for Pak flood victims

ISLAMABAD - Ex-Pakistan Test cricketer Azhar Mehmood, along with England fast bowler Sajid Mehmood, are all set to raise funds for the flood affectees under the banner of the Islamic Relief, an international Non Government Organisation (NGO).

Addressing a press conference, Azhar and his friend Sajid said that they would visit the flood-affected regions across the country, and their primary focus would be the resumption of education in those areas, The Nation reported.

“We have also plans to organise charity matches in the next summer in the UK in collaboration with Surrey and Lancashire counties to collect the funds,” Azhar added.

Calling the unprecedented floods that ravaged Pakistan this year ‘the biggest disaster’ of the region, he said, “We will visit Khyber PK, Punjab and Sindh to help the needy people of the remote areas. Our main focus will be the education and we will support the people to resume the educational institutes,” he added.

“Islamic Relief collected 20 to 25 millions pounds across the world including eight millions pounds from United Kingdoms (UK). We have planned to start rehabilitation work in 20 KPK, 20 Punjab and 20 Sindh villages. We did some work in Lunda and Charsadda,” he revealed.

On this occasion, Sajid said that he would remain here for 20 days and visit the affected areas. “It was big blow as compared to Tsunami disaster. The whole world should help the people of Pakistan. I will visit different cities to distribute goods among the people,” he said.

Responding to a question, Azhar disclosed that he had good relations with Azhar Majeed, younger brother of Mazhar Majeed, the suspected middleman between Pakistani cricketers and illegal bookmakers.

“He was my good friend, but it does not mean that he was an agent of bookmakers. He is a very nice guy and has also friendly relations with Saqlian Mushtaq,” he further said.

The deluge has been stamped as one of Pakistan’s worst natural disasters, affecting some 21 million people and leaving ten million victims shelter-less across the nation. The destruction caused by the devastating floods has not only left over 1700 people killed, but it has also broken the back of the country’s infrastructure, which could set it back by years. (ANI)