The Bestway Group on September 23 organised a fund-raising event at London's Intercontinental on Park Lane to raise money for the devastating floods that rocked Pakistan recently and the money which was raised eventually far exceeded the target.
The event was attended by more than 650 guests, including the Lord chancellor; the deputy governor of the State Bank of Pakistan; British cabinet ministers and members of the parliament; industry captains; and diplomats, among others.
The goal was to raise US$1.5 million (£1.3 million) to facilitate the relief effort in the South Asian nation where the floods have not only claimed several thousands of lives but also left the economy battered and it ended up raising $2.3 million (£2 million).
Lord Zameer Mohammed Choudrey CBE SI Pk, chief executive of the Bestway Group, thanked on behalf of the group's founder, Sir Anwar Pervez OBE H Pk, and the board of directors, every individual and corporate who responded to the funds-raising appeal and said work was already underway on the ground to give relief to those affected by the natural calamity -- in the form of building houses and shelters for 5,000 families; provision of clean water for more than 100,000 individuals; and food and medical supplies to over 20,000 people.
"We set ourselves an ambitious target to raise US$ 1.5 million to help aid the relief effort in the country. The great news is that in a few short weeks, we have raised a staggering US$ 2.3 million. This is a fantastic result, and I am incredibly humbled by what we have achieved collectively," Lord Choudrey said.
He also said that it was just the beginning of a long road to rehabilitation and reconstruction; and requested people to continue donating to the cause and help raise the fund amount to more than US$3 million (£2.66 million).
People could also donate to Bestway Foundation UK Account No. 21809997; Sort Code: 40-22-26.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)