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I SPY: The Light with a Voice - Sadaf Zarrar

Islamabad: As the sun set on Islamabad on 3rd June 2009, all wasn’t dark. Candle by Candle, over a hundred bearers of light got together in front of the constitution avenue and brought radiance to what could have been a dark night.

The event aptly titled ‘The Green Ribbon Vigil’ was organized by a group of local citizens who in their words ‘felt the need to mobilize the citizens of this country, show all our security forces including the Armed Forces, the Police and the paramilitary forces that we are with them and remember all those innocent victims who had lost their lives in various terror attacks’.

The gathering consisted of an array of people from various walks of life, and while some of them had relatives in the forces, most were there only owing to deep rooted patriotism. What started around 7pm as a nervous gathering of 20 odd people ended at around 9.30pm with over 120 euphoric citizens who chanted slogans of patriotism and sang patriotic songs.

The gathering consisted of an array of people from various walks of life, and while some of them had relatives in the forces, most were there only owing to deep rooted patriotism.

The highlight of the event however remained participation of Lt Omer who is a veteran of war against terror and extremism in Swat and Tribal areas. The Lieutenant who was supported by crutches owing to his war wounds spoke in a personal capacity and said that gatherings such as these would raise the morale of the troops and that it is time for the country to stand together and fight against this menace together… the Soldiers with guns and The citizens in spirit.

It is time for the country to stand together and fight against this menace together… the Soldiers with guns and The citizens in spirit.

Father of Captain Jonaid Shaheed from SSG was also present at this gathering and was given an honorary salute by all participants of the gathering for the great sacrifice his son had given.

Speeches by Capt Jonaid Shaheed’s father, Lt Omer and a family friend of Capt Waqqas Zamir Shaheed brought the whole crowd to an emotional silence and the teary eyed participants remained in awe of the great sacrifices the sons of this soil are giving for the safety and protection of this country and its people from foreign funded barbarians.

A moment of silence and prayer was observed towards the end of the peaceful gathering in remembrance of the Martyrs and the innocent victims of terror attacks and slogans were chanted towards the end to show solidarity with the Military and paramilitary forces.

‘We were 20 the last time we got together and today we’re over 120 in this gathering we will be even more next time, the youth is waking up… Pakistan is Rising… again’

The participants of the gathering vowed to not bow to terrorism. ‘We were 20 the last time we got together and today we’re over 120 in this gathering we will be even more next time, the youth is waking up… Pakistan is Rising… again’ said one of the volunteers organizing this gathering.



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Green Ribbon Vigil, Wed - 3rd June 09, 8pm Consititution Ave Islamabad

TALIBAN NOT WELCOME IN PAKISTAN!

The Green Ribbon Vigil - 3rd June 2009, 8pm

While you read this, I am sitting keeping guard... I have faith in you, enough to risk my life and protect yours. When you complain about the traffic jam in the morning, I am busy fighting sprays of bullets. I have had many sleepless nights while you have slept comfortably in your bed. I have seen my brothers fall right infront of my eyes, but it has only made my resolve stronger. I may never come back home, but if I can bring peace to yours I will consider my purpose fulfilled.

Candlelight Vigils being held in Lahore and Islamabad simultaneously on Wednesday, 3rd June 2009 at 8pm - 8.45pm (Punctuality is requested). Wear the Green Ribbon and light a candle in Memory of those who have lost their lives fighting the militant extremists or have been unfortunate victims of terror attacks and to show support to those who continue to fight for Peace. Venues to be announced.

For every person who thinks that they cannot make a difference, there are 50 others thinking the same. How will you tell the soldier who stands all night on guard that you didn't have 45 minutes to show support?? Join us and make a difference... Every person counts!!

Starting Small, Thinking Big

With a few thousand in the trusts account, we are thinking about where to start. Needless to say, we want to reach out to as many as possible and do as much as we can... BUT we are extremely eager to get going. As a starting point we're working on the following two small projects:

SOLIDARITY VISITS:
Visit the three families that live very close to Islamabad. It's not everyone, we realise, but it is someone... and that is a good place to start. The 'Pakistan Social Association' volunteers and any one else who wants to can visit these families to pledge our support to them.

CONDOLENCE CARDS TO ALL VICTIMS FAMILIES:
We are 'trying' to get a hold a list of all the victims... The final list is hard to get by. But the efforts are still underway. And we will keep you posted on both.

THE CITIZENS TRUST FOR VICTIMS OF TERROR

Idea: To generate an on-going fund for the families of the victims of Terror attacks primarily those affected by Suicide Bombs.

Synopsis: As a trend the primary victims of suicide attacks are the Security Guards, Low level Police Soldiers, Security Officials and Drivers etc. Usually the victim leaves over 5 dependants behind who in most cases are given anywhere between Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 300,000 from the employer or the government.

On-ground Reality: We exalt these brave men and women to the status of Martyrs however, after a basic amount from the government/ employer; we absolve ourselves of this responsibility.

The Emotion: Pakistanis are one family. When one member of the family is in distress, the rest all rush to his or her help… Similarly if a member of our Pakistani brotherhood gives his life protecting the others it is our duty to ensure that his dependants are taken care of.

Mechanics:

1. Generate a comprehensive database of victims, their dependants and profile their dependents as per:
a. Age
b. Gender
c. Relation
2. Establish an Account in the name of the victims and their families
3. Make a Nationwide call for donations
4. Based on the donations received make donations to the victims families to fortify whatever small amount they have received from the government or their employer.

Areas of Concern:

The fund will be utilized in the following three areas of concern:
1. Education
2. Welfare

Based on the feedback from the donors following areas can be included in the program, the mechanics of the same can be finalized once the areas are included.
3. Medical
4. Special Concerns (Marriage, Post Humus Birth of Child etc)

Education:
For education one may partner with existing NGOs such as The Citizens Foundation or Teach a Child Foundation who are already working in the area. With a regular monthly stipend towards each child benefiting from this program, responsibility of the education can be handed over.
However, in the absence of such an alliance as yet, the fund will be directed towards simply paying the children's fee to the school they are studying in currently. This offers the additional benefit of the child continuing in his or her familiar environment.

Welfare:
To avoid complication, the Welfare amount will be based on number of depends and amount per dependant as opposed to a lump sum being handed over to each house hold. This will take into consideration each dependant as opposed to each family.

Potential Donors:

Corporate Donors: Corporate Donors may include all organizations in the country however; special sponsorship packages can be devised to accommodate bigger donations.

Individual Donors: Individual Donors are at liberty to donate as little or as much as they choose.


Partner Organization:

To win donor trust, this initiative is being carried out in partnership with an established organization.

Profile of the partner is below:

Pakistan Social Association:

This organization was established on the first of January, 1930 in Hyderabad Deccan. The aims and objects of this organization are to get the pleasure of God through the service of humanity. This organization has been operational for more than a half century and is one of the oldest Social and educational organizations in the sub continent. The PSA has trained more than one million social workers in half a century. The movement has got 400 branches consisting of five thousand members in four provinces of Pakistan.

Project Scale:

The sky is the limit. Given the recent terror attack at Marriot and the month of Ramadan, it is perhaps best to start this fund with the victims of the latest incident.

The fund can be sustained for longer term for (God forbid) any other terror victims that might require assistance.

Eligibility Criteria for Victims:

Whereas all victims of such terror attacks deserve help and support, the trust fund will start with supporting the more needy low level employees in the beginning.

This will be decided at the discretion of a committee formed for the purpose.

Account Details for Donations:

The account below will be used for the donations:

Pakistan Social Association
1001407
Muslim Commercial Bank
F10 Markaz Branch