Free food for poor people in twin cities

[LahoreEstate]

Saturday, January 31, 2009
Obaid Abrar Khan

Rawalpindi

Thanks to some kind-hearted people in Saddar, poor people are getting at least one-time free meal not only for themselves but also for their family members.

The Traders Union of Kashmir Road, Saddar, and owners of hotels situated in the vicinity have placed a signboard of ‘Dawat-e-Masakeen’ at the median of the road where they distribute free meals to all those who come to the place. A large number of labourers, beggars and internally displaced people get meals for themselves and their families.

Saleem Ahmed, a shopkeeper, told ‘The News’ that the traders union after seeing a large number of people visiting the market seeking money for a one-time meal decided to start ‘Dawat-e-Masakeen.’ He said “We had no separate place, therefore, we have decided to use the median of the road where the needy could have one-time meal,” he said.

Faheem Aslam, a hotel owner, praised traders for providing money to distribute free food among the needy. He said initially only traders provided us funds, but now some kind-hearted people also give us money for providing food to the poor.

Nazar Khan, having a seven-member family, told ‘The News’ that his family is able to get at least one-time meal from this point. “I do odd jobs and don’t earn sufficient money for three-time meals for my family.” “We have migrated from Bajaur because of the unrest there,” he added.

Muhammad Asif, a labourer, said that despite doing work he couldn’t meet his expenses because of inflation. “I can’t afford to have Rs100 meals as one-time food at an ordinary hotel costs Rs40, he said.

He urged the government to take care of poor people and control prices of items of daily use, so that people like him might not depend on free meals and live with honour.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=160078