Bestway raises $2m for Pak
floods victims, relief efforts
will continue: Lord Zameer

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By Nation special correspondent

LONDON: To ensure the sincere and dedicated efforts to minimise the hardships of millions of flood victims in Pakistan and to facilitate them, the Bestway Group under the leadership of Bestway Group Chief Executive Lord Zameer Choudrey CBE SI-Pk organised a fundraiser at the Intercontinental Hotel Park Lane, London on Friday, 23rd of September 2022. The fundraising dinner was attended by over 650 guests including the British Lord Chancellor; the Deputy Governor State Bank of Pakistan; UK Ministers and Members of Parliament and raised over US$ 1 million for the flood victims.

Lord Zameer Choudery, Haider Choudrey, Dr. Murtaza Syed, Sajid Javid MP and Tom Tugendhat MP addressing the event.
Oliver Dowden MP, Pakistan High Commissioner Moazzam Ahmed Khan, his spouse Ms. Leena Salim Moazzam, Lord Zameer Choudery, and other guests at the event.

The fundraiser was in continuation of the efforts of Bestway Group and Bestway Foundation both founded by Sir Anwar Pervez OBE H Pk to aid and assist the people of Pakistan as they grapple with the worst humanitarian disaster in the country’s history.

Sir Anwar Pervez OBE, H-Pk, Lord Chancellor Brandon Lewis MP and Lord Zameer Choudrey CBE SI-Pk
Group picture shows (from left) Haider Choudrey, Lord Chancellor Brandon Lewis MP, his spouse Mrs. Justine Rappolt and Lord Zameer Choudrey.
A group picture taken at the event shows (from left) Sajid Javid MP, Dr. Murtaza Syed, Ms. Ahmereen Reza, Afzal Khan, Lord Chancellor Brandon Lewis MP, Lord Zameer Choudrey, Oliver Dowden MP, Shaker Elahi.and another guest.

The recent floods have affected over 33 million people with 1 in 7 Pakistanis living without food or shelter and 1/3rd of the country is underwater. Earlier in the month Lord Choudrey on behalf of Sir Anwar Pervez had announced a donation US$1.0 million towards the Pakistan Flood Relief, with the culmination of this successful event the total funds raised through Bestway’s efforts stands at an impressive US$2.0 million.

Minister for London, Paul Scully MP

Lord Zameer Choudrey said: “Thanks to our local stakeholders we have been able to raise more than US$1 million tonight. Through the fundraiser we have been able to showcase the generosity of our community”. Lord Choudrey in his evening’s address reflected on the principles and values of the Commonwealth championed by her late Majesty the Queen and how the UK government is and more importantly will support Pakistan as this situation evolves.

Former Chairman of the Conservative Party Oliver Dowden MP

During the evening Bestway Group CFO, Haider Choudrey detailed Bestway Foundation’s plans to build homes or shelters for 5,000 families; provide usable water for 100,000 individuals; and provide food and medical supplies to over 20,000 people. He also announced a donation of c.$400,000 worth of medicine from Well Pharmacy.

The Lord Chancellor Brandon Lewis MP said that the British Government has committed funds of £16.5 million for Pakistan and we are dealing with wider climate change issues as well and we are committing to that effort.

Dr. Murtaza Syed, Deputy Governor, State Bank of Pakistan in his remarks thanked the diaspora community for its support and urged greater support from the international community as Pakistan was going through the worst ever natural disaster.

Tom Tugendhat MP Minister for Security in his address said whilst the devastation caused by the floods was incredibly sad and the destruction caused is more than many people could have thought. People are willing to support Pakistan and he urged others to follow the example set by Lord Choudrey.

Minister for London, Paul Scully MP said the UK public has been taking close interest in the terrible floods that have affected Pakistan. Both countries have enjoyed strong bonds. The UK was amongst the first countries to come out for Pakistan’s help.

The former Chairman of the Conservative Party Oliver Dowden MP in his remarks said that the British Government cares about the plight of the people of Pakistan and will do whatever it can to help. The former Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javed MP said its right to look at the situation in Pakistan and see what else can be done. Climate change is important to be considered when we look at what has happened in Pakistan. It’s ground zero. Floods in Pakistan have turned the livelihood upside down.

Well Pharmacy donates medicines to the flood victims

In addition to the monetary donations, Bestway Group CFO, Haider Choudrey, announced a donation of medicines worth US$400,000 on behalf of Well Pharmacy a subsidiary of the Bestway Group.

During his address Mr Haider Choudrey detailed Bestway Foundation’s plans to build homes or shelters for 5,000 families; provide usable water for 100,000 individuals; and provide food and medical supplies to over 20,000 people.