Bestway Group exceeds Pakistan flood relief pledges

Bestway Group said its foundation has achieved the targets it set as part of the 2022 Pakistan flood relief appeal.

During the 2022 Monsoons, Pakistan witnessed one of its heaviest rain downpours which triggered the most severe flooding in the country’s recent history. In response, Bestway Group undertook an extensive flood relief appeal, raising more than $3 million (£2.35m).

The Bestway Foundation 'Hum Sahara' Flood Relief Programme, started in November 2022 with the aim to distribute food, water filtration units, blankets and mosquito nets to assist the affected families, culminated in December 2023, with the provision of 500 permanent homes.

In a report on Thursday, Bestway Group said it has:

• provided over 20,000 ration bags and 21,000 cooked meals for the benefit of 100,000 individuals
• distributed over 20,000 water filtration units in 55 villages across the country, thus providing over 1 million litres of clean drinking water.
• airlifted Over 20 tonnes of medicines from UK and donated to the National Disaster Management Authority for the benefit of over 100,000 individuals. Further, over 3,000 individuals were provided medical assistance.
• provided 5,000 tents across 53 villages for the benefit of 100,000 individuals.
• built and delivered 500 permanent new homes to flood affected families.

The achievements exceeded the targets announced by Lord Zameer Choudrey, group chief executive of Bestway Group, on 23 September 2022, at the Bestway Pakistan Flood Relief Fundraiser.

“On behalf of our chairman Sir Anwar Pervez, OBE H Pk, I would like to thank our colleagues in Pakistan for their hard work and commitment,” Lord Choudrey said.

“I would also like to put on record the board’s appreciation for the leadership of the Honourable Haider Choudrey, chief financial officer, Bestway Group; Irfan Sheikh, managing director, Bestway Cement and Sharjeel Shahid group executive UBL in the conceptualisation and the successful implementation the Bestway Hum Sahara Program.”

Haider Choudrey, group chief financial officer at Bestway Group, added: “Under the umbrella of the Bestway Foundation Hum Sahara Programme, the progress we have achieved is entirely due to the hard work of our local teams, led by Sharjeel Shahid group executive, United Bank Limited and Irfan Sheikh, managing director, Bestway Cement Limited and their respective staff members; who have contributed over 19,560-man hours to facilitate the on-ground activities in 55 villages across the country.

“Due to the cost and operational efficiencies achieved, our local teams have not only met but also exceed expectations and will continue to do so in the future as we embark on next stage of our rehabilitation and reconstruction activities.”