For those who cannot read urdu, some excerpts from the column.
"I have never seen a nation waiting in line to help another nation, like i have seen Turks. One of my friend went to Bank to donate before the opening hours, and even then he had to wait in line for half hour.
The chairman of Turkish Red Crescent Kechan Ali, adressed the nation on TV and reminded them of help of Pakistani and Indian Muslims in Gaili Bolo war and the Cyprus war in 1974 when Pakistan even sent its troops to help Turkey.
Turkish Education minister Hussain Celic started the Fund Raising in Turkish schools by donating his own salary, and their target is in excess of 17 million Dollars.
Turkish prime minister hosted an Iftar dinner for Turkish industrialists, bankers and traders to collect donations for Pakistan.
Turkish ministery of religious affairs also started a fund raising compaign in all mosques all over turkey"
^^ There is a difference between pledging and actually giving the money. All those countries that have pledged huge sums of $$ have provided only 25% of that money so far. We have 3 million people homeless and hence winter approaching they are in dire need of IMMEDIATE money.
Disasters are not planned events and every country has a budget to adhere to. When they make a commitment they plan a definite time frame for the disbursement of the funds. These are unplanned expenditure and needs to be accounted for. Hence they release the funds in a phased manner. Richer countries would be able to dole out larger amounts of money in a short notice while poorer countries plan out their disbursement. It is essential that we appreciate the intention of a country like Turkey in providing timely aid...