Locally-based Pakistan adviser urges Oldhamers to support flood disaster victims

Jawaid Iqbal

Oldham’s first Asian councillor, Jawaid Iqbal, recently appointed Overseas Advisor to the Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (abbreviated as AJK and colloquially referred to as simply Azad Kashmir), has issued a heartfelt plea to local residents following the ongoing flood crisis in Pakistan.

Over 33 million people have been affected by recent floods in Pakistan, with the death toll now topping 1,000.

The floods have damaged houses and infrastructure, while the Pakistan National Disaster Management Agency said over 3,000 km of roads and 150 bridges have been destroyed.

Nearly a million houses have also been destroyed.

A huge proportion of the country is under water as a result of the floods, and millions have become homeless as heavy rain left 5.7 million without food and shelter.

Parts of the country are cut off due to roads and bridges being washed away. 

The Government of Pakistan has declared a national emergency as the monsoon season continues to affect several provinces, causing floods and severe weather-related events, and resulting in a severe humanitarian impact on resources. 

Many Oldham residents from Werneth, Glodwick and the Coppice areas have families in the flooded towns and villages.

Mr Iqbal said: "I remember in 1990 we had floods, and as a result our village was badly affected.

"My heart goes out to people who are suffering in the current floods.

"Please donate generously to the Imran Khan appeal to help the victims of the floods to rebuild their lives." 

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