Daily Times

Under the darkest clouds of COVID-19 outbreak, the needy class of Pakistan wants a few commodities on priority basis to stay fighting against the plague: wheat flour, sugar, rice, ghee, pulses and spices, and sanitizers of course.

Do you think that Sharif brothers, Bhutto’s descendants and Jahangir Khan Tareen cannot donate sugar to the nation in the time of enormous need? Presently, forty-three operational sugar mills in Punjab alone are enough to meet this basic necessity of the deserving Pakistanis. The majority of these mils are owned by the country’s influential politicians and business tycoons. The nation has given them huge respect and power, and this is their turn to take care of the Pakistanis who live on daily wages and now await some philanthropist to gift them basic food supplies.

Do you believe that goodwill of Chaudhry brothers and owners of 70 flour mills in Punjab province cannot contribute to the provision of wheat flour while people are more likely to starve under the loads of necessary lockdown to combat coronavirus?

Are you ready to assume that Pakistan’s business community and industry owners are unable to offer ghee and pulses to the needy masses? Malik Riaz has always been seen at the forefront during earthquakes and floods. Where is he these days? The needy people cannot approach his Dastarkhwans during coronavirus lockdown. Should we now trust he is no more a help for the helpless?

Philanthropic institutions and NGOs are doing either nothing or less than they are supposed to. A large number of charity organisations is functional in the country. I could not grasp the objective of Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy – an NPO – except doing research and writing articles on promotion of charity in the country. These generous ventures could practically contribute to ensure food security in the rural and remote areas especially. According to Stanford Social Innovation Review, Pakistan comes in the list of most charitable nations of the world. I feel sad that the net effect of “Pakistan’s national capacity to give” has diminished, leaving the poor in lurch.

At indigenous levels, many Pakistanis have been found to take care of the people around them, and their good deeds would surely reward them. Otherwise, I am listening the screams of silence from the millionaire Pakistanis. Compassion and courage would take us out of the menaces of COVID-19.

Our doctors, police and army are extremely admirable. Where Dr. Usama Shaheed has set a memorable example for the medical crew, the police and army are putting efforts to maintain peace during the lockdown and ensure food supplies far and wide. Being apprised of the fact that they are performing their duties at the cost of their own lives, Pakistani doctors and paramedics are treating the victims of coronavirus with heroic attitude. Nation definitely needs the attention of philanthropists now.

I appreciate the assistance that is being delivered to Pakistan by the neighbouring China! PM’s coronavirus relief package is under process. Alibaba.com has extended the supportive hand. No other country can support Pakistan for they are rightly centered at their own people during the uncertain present. Philanthropy has the power to relieve the pain of coronavirus hit nation.

Pakistan’s celebrities from the film, television and sports industries could boost the morale of the nation through their strong messages

Nearly all the MNAs and MPAs come from wealthy backgrounds. Relying upon their own resources, they could do a great support to the natives of their respective areas. People need basic edibles to keep the fabric of life connected with society. Instead of merely officiating their constitutional positions, these elected people could take philanthropy as their obligation to beat the health crisis caused by coronavirus.

We must be morally generous to go through the hard times! Electronic media could understand the value of “moral philanthropy”. It is painful that the electronic media seems to play politics-politics even through the worst days. Being morally responsible, all the channels could address the people of Pakistan for giving intellectual and social support against coronavirus. Senior journalists could stand with the Prime Minister to spread the message of the state and avoid sprouting debates based on the performance appraisals of state officials. They could do enough to keep the public emotionally fit during the coronavirus lockdown conditions.

Pakistan’s celebrities from the film, television and sports industries could boost the morale of the nation through their strong messages. Being generous both at their pockets and hearts, they could persuade the people to stay at home. The celebrities from other countries are doing everything to keep their millions of fans upright throughout the lockdown period.

At governmental level, all the non-profit organisations could be advised to contribute their share to stipulate food security at local levels and preach the people to stay at their homes. Effective social participation could eradicate the roots of COVID-19 from the country. This is the time where high net-worth Pakistanis could open up a big show of philanthropy. If they do, the people would make them heroes. The nation would reject them otherwise.

Do not only give; put love into giving!

The writer is a researcher and journalist