At a function organized here on Friday night to celebrate the 64th Independence Day of Pakistan, the PRC also sought urgent help for the victims of the recent flooding.

Writer and poet Nayeem Hamid Al-Hamid, who was the chief guest at the function, said the country was passing through a critical period and that everyone should come forward to provide relief to the millions of flood-affected people.

PRC convener Syed Ehsanul Haque said every Pakistani should rise to the occasion and respond to the nation’s call.

“In addition to the prime minister’s fund there are credible organizations like Edhi Trust, Al-Khidmat and the Khidmat Khalf Committee who have a proven record of work with dedication . . . One of the reasons for today’s problems is our ignorance and indifference toward the quarter million Pakistanis living in miserable conditions at 66 camps in Bangladesh for four decades. We must also raise our voice for Kashmiris who are suffering under the Indian rule.”

Urdu Markaz, PRC Vice President Irfan Hashmi and community leaders Seth Mohammad Luqman, Hamid Islam Khan, Gulab Khan, Tariq Mahmood, Ilyas Meher and Syed Shahabuddin spoke about the sacrifices made for the creation of Pakistan in 1947.

Poets Naseem Sehar, Abdul Qayyum Waseq, Syed Mohsin Alavi, Zamurrad Khan Saifi, Gule Anwar and Syed Mahtab Ahmed recited poems on Pakistan and in support of the flood victims.

Syed Musarrat Khalil conducted the proceedings.