Islamabad/London: President Asif Ali Zardari, under criticism at home for being in United Kingdom at a time of natural disaster in Pakistan, has donated £2.5 million (Dh14.65 million) to the relief fund set up for the teeming millions of flood victims, according to the Pakistani official media.
The donation was announced on Saturday in London by Pakistan's High Commissioner to Britain Wajid Shamsul Hassan at the launch of a fund-raising appeal by Zardari's son and chairman of Pakistan People's Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
Flood relief accounts have been opened in UK-based Pakistani banks to enable people to deposit their donations, the official report said. He has set up the PM Relief Fund and urged Pakistanis and millions of nationals working overseas to donate generously.
NDMA said foreign countries have pledged $92.8 million so far for the flood victims.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the 21-year-old son of President Asif Ali Zardari and slain former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, defended his father's trip to Britain, saying he had done more in Europe to raise money for flood victims than what he could have in Pakistan.
"This is not a time to play politics. We need to do what is necessary to help our brothers and sisters in Pakistan," he told reporters at Pakistan's High Commission in London.
Pakistani officials estimate that as many as 13 million people have been affected by the floods and some 1,500 have died.
"My father's doing all that he can to aid the people of Pakistan. His personal presence in Pakistan could not have done there what he did here," Bhutto Zardari said.
He added that Zardari raised money for the flood victims during his trips to Abu Dhabi, France and Britain.
Many speculated that Bhutto Zardari would accompany his father at a political rally yesterday and announce his intentions to formally enter Pakistani politics.
His father said it was only a matter of time before his son carried on the family's political dynasty.
— With inputs from agencies
