MEDIA CALLS OUT FOR MORE HUMANITARIAN AID FOR THE INTERNALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE OF SWAT.

The situation in Swat once again calls out for unity across our country to support the innocent victims of extremism. It is our individual responsibility to ensure that our country stands united and the safety and well-being of our people remains our main priority” - Amir Jahangir, CEO, SAMAA TV

ISLAMABAD, 15 May – The 1.5 million people who are currently living as internally displaced people (IDPs) in various parts of Pakistan due to the military battle going on between the Armed Forces and the extreme militants in Swat, are facing acute shortage of food items, medicine and clean drinking water. The current situation has not only left the IDPs without a home but also without access to basic amenities, which has resulted in a nation-wide request for support from all key stakeholders, government officials, NGOs and other humanitarian organizations, to support the IDPs to prevent a humanitarian disaster.

Taking a positive lead, SAMAA TV, one of Pakistan’s leading Urdu news channels has as part of the immediate relief activities, distributed food items to more than 800 IDPs and their families situated in the surroundings of the village Katlang of district Mardan (NWFP).

Speaking to Mr. Amir Jahangir, Chief Executive Officer of SAMAA TV, Mr. Jahangir said that “This is only the beginning of our support. We will continue to work with the government and other helping organizations to ensure the safety and well being of our people.”

He further said that “Pakistan is going through trying times and it is our responsibility, both individual as well as collective, to unite against militants who are supported by elements working against a progressive Pakistan. We need to realize that the real threat to Pakistan is from Al-Qaeda and the Taliban, who want to destabilize Pakistan. I believe that Pakistan can play an important role in strengthening ties for trade, economic growth and peace in the region”.

The immediate response taken by SAMAA TV was positively endorsed by Mr. Himayat Ullah Mayar, District Nazim of Mardan, who said that “this is a time, where we should not be pointing fingers at who is doing what wrong but rather think positive and come forward to support those in need. We are currently in great need of more shelters for the IDPs and provide them with health care facilities, as the fatigue, lack of nutrition and increasing hot weather is resulting in health problems.”

The Katlang area and its people have currently settled more than 10,000 IDPs including many women and children in their homes, school buildings and other places suitable for accommodation. The Katlang area is one of the key transit points through which most of the IDPs are arriving from Swat in search of a secure place to settle down until their homes are safe to return to.

SAMAA TV is one of Pakistan’s leading private satellite channels, which takes pride in its fair, factual and independent news coverage through its on-the-hour bulletins, breaking stories, incisive political analysis and current affairs programs. The channel has also made a niche for itself through its programs on women and youth issues besides infotainment. SAMAA TV, launched in December 2007 is the only Pakistani news channel, which has the capability of live coverage from Peshawar, Islamabad, Lahore, Quetta and Karachi.