Pakistani nationalists welcome Indian medical teams for flood affectees

Pakistani nationalists of Sindh province welcomed the announcement made by the Indian peace activists to send a team of 400 doctors and paramedical staff to work in the flood-hit districts of the province, local media reported on Wednesday.

Dr Qadar Magsi, chairman of Sindh Taraqqi Pasand Party, said that in post-flood scenario the victims needed medical facilities, as diseases spread.

"While nations around the world are coming forward to help the flood victims, the people of Sindh are happy about the announcement made by the neighboring country, as it would bring a message of peace," he said.

He also offered that his party would provide volunteers, if guest teams needed any assistance.

Rasool Bux Palejo, Prominent nationalist, also expressed his gratefulness and said, "We will welcome the Indian peace activists, if the Pakistan government allows them to come and work in Sindh."

Some other senior politicians also welcomed the decision and said that such measures people would help bring peace between the two countries.

"It is a gesture by the people of India that will bring a message of love, so we welcome it. Not only India, but we welcome the aid sent by Iran, Afghanistan, U.S. and other countries. This is an emergency and in such conditions we will welcome all those who will help the flood affected people," they said in a statement.

The offer to send the medical team was made by a delegation of Indian peace activists, including Mazher Hussain of the Confederation of Voluntary Associations (COVA), an Indian Hyderabad-based network of over 800 organizations working in nine districts, during a meeting with their counterparts in Pakistan.

India had already offered a financial aid of 5 million U.S. dollars for the flood relief fund but the Pakistani Foreign Ministry is of the view that they are considering the offer. Both countries, which fought three wars in their last 63 years of independence, usually remain reluctant to believe in each other. Visa system between the two is also very tough which may make hurdle before this positive step.

Source: Xinhua