From November to December 2007, a state of emergency were declared in Pakistan by then President and Chief Army of Staff, Pervez Musharraf, regarding controversy surrounding the re-election of Musharraf. This declaration resulted in a suspension of the Constitution of Pakistan. Youth groups protested internationally. Pakistan Youth Alliance were among the first to strategically take action against tyranny and oppression, presently the forefront for youth as a pivotal fulcrum for change.
PYA [Pakistan Youth Alliance] were created by CEO and Founder, Syed Ali Abbas Zaidi along with Samad Khurram and Maryam Kanwer . PYA advocates progression of Pakistan, engagement and action of youth, creating mass socio-political awareness in order to utilize all youth in an organized peaceful manner to practically serve humanity, beginning in Pakistan.
In 2010, unprecedented monsoons devastated Pakistan. Floods submerged 17 million acres of Pakistan’s most fertile crop land, killed 200,000 livestock and washed away agriculture such as: cotton, grain, rice, and sugar cane. The World Food Programme stated nearly 70% of Pakistan’s population did not have adequate access to proper nutrition. Transmission lines, transformers, feeders and power houses were decimated. Disease due to improper nutrition and lack of medical assistance began to emerge. One-fifth of Pakistan’s total land area were underwater. Over 20 million people, property, livelihood, and infrastructure of Pakistan were affected. Pakistani government responded sluggish and disorganized. The United Nations criticized the international community for responding slowly, despite the ferocity and magnitude of the disaster. Death tolls rose.
Youth groups emerged to serve the nation and people of Pakistan.
Since 2010, PYA, as well as numerous youth groups, have made 39 deliveries to 29 locations, raising and disbursing relief items over 52 million PKR, mainly street donations, events and out of pocket cost only for flood relief, presently reaching over 120 million PKR. PYA now vows to rebuild and renovate schools destroyed by floods in Nowshera and Kot Addu. As donations dwindle, charity fundraisers have been utilized as a way to make this a reality for the children of Pakistan.
On March 22, 2011 in Islamabad, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan shall perform to assist PYA in its internationally acknowledged flood relief efforts. All funds raised through this event is donated to rebuilding two schools. Event, ticket, donation and contact information can be found here, at PYA.
While creating awareness for the March 22 event in Islamabad, Andy Carvin, NPR [National Public Radio] provided me with his rare 1993 personal experience and interview with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, uncle of Rahat Fatah Ali Khan. The article were written when Andy were in college. “Shahen-Shah: The Spirit of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan” accessed on EdWedProject.
Andy has traveled extensively creating an Online Diary, worked with The Benton Foundation, advocated awareness for technology and activism, Network for Good and the Digital Divide Network and The CPB [Corporation for Public Broadcasting.]
The March 22 event in Islamabad is a joint effort between youth organizations, journalists, international community, and musicians, If you cannot attend, please donate. If you cannot donate, please share this event. Rahat Fatah Ali Khan follows in the footsteps of his uncle, a most spiritual man no longer with us. Honor the memory of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, as well those who perished in the floods and those still attempting to survive the aftermath. Children are our future. They need schools in order to create and sustain a peaceful, sustainable world.
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