Iqbal Chairs Meeting to Coordinate Relief Efforts for Gaza, Lebanon
CT Report
ISLAMABAD: Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Saturday chaired a high-level meeting at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to review Pakistan’s humanitarian relief efforts for war-affected populations in Gaza and Lebanon. The meeting was co-chaired by NDMA Chairman Lt. Gen. Inam Haider Malik.
Discussions focused on the immediate needs of people in Gaza and Lebanon and logistical challenges related to dispatching relief consignments. The Lebanese ambassador expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s timely assistance, noting that Pakistan was among the first three countries to send aid to Lebanon.
Pakistan has dispatched 12 consignments totaling 1,251 tons of relief items, with 10 shipments directed to Gaza and two to Lebanon. The relief packages included tents, tarpaulins, food packs, winter bedding, medicines, hygiene kits, and other essential supplies.
Federal Minister Iqbal emphasized that Prime Minister Anwar ul Haq Kakar had personally directed the provision of relief to both regions. The “Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for Gaza and Lebanon” has been established to facilitate contributions from the public.
Pakistan’s ambassadors to Lebanon, Palestine, and Syria briefed the minister on the active humanitarian organizations in each country and their aid distribution channels. Iqbal directed NDMA to develop a hybrid transportation model combining air and road routes to enhance aid delivery efficiency. He also called for integrating food and non-food item suppliers to maximize support.
