Seeks comments from our Managing Director soon
after the floods in Pakistan

“Pakistan is facing one of the worst and biggest natural disaster of the recent history, UN Secretary General told the 192 member body last Thursday, “Make no mistake, this is a global disaster, a global challenge. It is one of the greatest tests of global solidarity in our times”.

“This on-going flood which is the worst in more than 100 years has resulted in more than 1800 deaths, thousands injured and rendered 15 to 20 million people homeless. Survivors are at the risk of starvation and disease. This means that 10% of our population is out of economy. According to initial estimates total losses could exceed 10% of the GDP or US$ 15bn to US$ 20bn. Consequently, the country will miss both agriculture growth target of 3.8% and the overall GDP growth target of 4.8% this year. Exports could plunge by US$3-4bn i.e. 20% of target and the shortfall in the tax revenues may cause the fiscal deficit to cross 7% of the GDP.

“Agriculture contributes 20% of GDP and more importantly 65% population is engaged in this sector. Damages to major crops like cotton, rice and sugar cane is estimated to be in excess of US$ 5bn. Floods have destroyed 4.25m acres (1.72m hectares). However, the full impact on soil erosion and agriculture (not to forget livestock and horticulture its sub-sectors) can only be assessed once the water recedes around mid-September. Thus the on-going floods have adverse implications for the income of rural population.

“Most of the infra structure including bridges, rail roads, transformers/grid stations, transmission lines and roads which has been washed away was not insured. However, insurance companies are expecting losses for damages to industrial and commercial properties. As of now, most claims have been reported as water has receded from many affected areas. Crop insurance which is less than two years old in Pakistan will take a hit. At this stage, it is difficult to give any estimate of losses in this area also. Things would be clearer by end of October.”

Going an extra mile, to   find the road not crowded

“I am sure each one of you has contributed to the flood relief in your own way but I would like to request that  in each city we form teams and personally go and deliver some relief items to our brethren in need. This will give us a closer sense of participation in their difficulties,” appealed our Managing Director, Mr Tahir Ahmed at Co-ordination Committee Meeting in August.

Next month, at the Eid Milan, he appreciated the spontaneous response throughout NJI to the humanitarian effort, citing that within an hour of his making the request, Lahore branch heads made a six-figure collection and went on to build on it. Teams from all cities where NJI has a presence had presented food parcels to their fellow Pakistanis affected by the worst natural diaster in living memory.

The Managing Director urged on, that going by the scale of devastation, we ought to continue with this relief effort on regular basis. Only then our country can make some economic recovery which in turn will benefit us all.” The leadership had its followers, as can be seen from the pictures and brief accompanying text.

Karachi

“Our mission to do physical relief work took us up the Indus river valley Chaur Jamali, near Sajawal, Thatta. On the way to Chaur Jamali,  we saw reminders of the flood, roads that are broken or missing and fields that had been washed away.  
I certainly did not imagine that so many difficulties would greet us on our  way to the village, but we received immense support from the Pakistan Coast Guard. Without their support it would not have been possible for us to reach at our destination.
I feel hope for the people in these villages whose lives have been devastated by the floods, including mothers who lost their children and elderly Pakistanis who feared they would never be able to rebuild their homes they lost.
I thank you all who donated and supported us in this mission and hope that we are able to, today and tomorrow, be able to do more to help all of the people in need.”  reports SVP-Audit Syed Arsalan Sadiq who lead the team.

Two separate deliveries were made: 400 packages of food and water the first time; next time 260 packages of food and the  effort will continue, InshAllah!

Lahore

“NJI Lahore Zone launched a relief campaign for their flood affected brethren during the Holy month of Ramadan. The idea for fund raising for this noble cause by NJI family all over Pakistan was given by our Managing Director during a Coordination Committee Meeting. While concluding the meeting at Lahore, the Zonal Head Mian Faisal Usman, took the opportunity of a large gathering of Branch Heads of his Zone and requested for their generous financial support. Having an encouraging response from the donors, a  committee comprising of four officers from Lahore Zone was formed on the same day who were able to collect an amount of Rs.366,855/- within a couple of days. The Committee visited a number of Flood Relief Camps of various NGOs but found no match with Pakistan  Army who had a wide range of transportation to deliver relief goods in the remote areas.

A truck loaded with relief items containing food packages for 150 families, medicines and reusable bottles of  mineral water were handed over  to Army Flood Relief Camp based at Fortress Stadium, Lahore for onward delivery to affected areas. The unity and enthusiasm for the activity demonstrated NJI’s slogan – Journey to Growth.” reports our Lahore team.

At time of disaster, all hearts beat as one

Our Islamabad branch formed a team comprising  Azeem-ul-Quder, AVP,  Abid Hussain, AVP and  Amer Sardar, Manager. They distributed food, water and clothes to 300 families in Akora Khattak and Nowshera.  The eager and desperate persons were organised and names of heads of families was listed. Then their names were called out and were handed package for their family.

We give our colleagues at Islambad extra credit for being able to organise the desperate, which those who have experienced such a situation, will confirm is not an easy task. 

Peshawar

“We distributed atta worth Rs 100,000 in remote area of D I Khan to persons with CNICs. Most of the houses in villages are made of mud walls and roof with local shrub called ‘kundre’ and date tree . These were all washed out and people were living in a miserable condition. 

“Most of them do not have any access to drinkig water and use canal water and one can imagine what they drink.

“Balance money we are spending for eye cornea treatment through Lions Club Mehmood Hospital. List of  patients with photographs and ID cards will be assisted and the treatment will be provided only for the people of flood effected area.  I think this help will help them earn their living,” informed Saeed Jan Awan, Branch Head, Peshawar.

Multan

Our colleagues in Multan distributed food items to Khan Bella in the District of  Muzaffar Garh. The actual distribution was done through a relative of our Multan Zonal Head and NJI officers who accompanied him reported that whereas the disaster is on a huge scale, the affected persons are seeking early rescue to enable them stand on their own feet, reported Chaudhary Sardar, Head of Multan Zone.

IAP Election and Annual Dinner

IAP’s newly-elected Executive Committee took office in  October and the annual dinner of the Association was hosted prior to that, by the outgoing committee.

The Executive Committee for 2010-2011  comprises:  Mr. Hasanali Abdullah – Chairman;   Mr Nasar usSamad Qureshi – Vice Chairman ; Capt. Azhar Ehtesham Ahmed;   Mr Ahmed Salahuddin;     Mr. A. Razak Ahmed;   Mr. Fakhir Rahman;  Mr. Jalees Ahmed Siddiqi;  Ms. Zehra Naqvi;  Mr. Atiq Anwar Mahmudi; Mr. Shariq Abdullah;  Syed Kazim Hasan and Mr. Tahir Ahmed – Ex-Officio Member. The members are seen in picture across.

At the annual dinner six veterans of the insurance industry were honoured - one of them posthumously - with a citation and a plaque, presented by IAP Chairman Mr Tahir Ahmed and Vice-Chairman Capt Azhar E Ahmed, as seen in pictures below clockwise from top left: Justice (Retd) Syed Ali Aslam Jafri, who was the Federal Insurance Ombudsman 2006-2010;   Mr Abid Javid Akbar, former Secretary to the Government of Pakistan who was the chief executive of National Insurance Company 2006-2008 and chairman of Pakistan Reinsurance Company  for a short  period;  Mr Samee-ul-Hasan who served State Life for 17 years in different positions, and as its Chairman 2000-2003 and its first Overseas Director; as well as is the partner and chief executive of  Akhtar & Hasan;   Mr Abdur Rahim, who was associated with the insurance industry for 50 years in various capacities and insurance companies;  Mr Sardar Khan who was with the industry for 42 years, retiring as managing director of Universal Insurance. Mr Poonawalla received the trophy in his absence  and   late Abdul Aziz Khadeli who devoted 59 years to the industry. His son  Aamir receiving trophy from  Mr Saifuddin Zookawalla, Chairman, EFU Group.