A leading member of Britain’s Pakistan community has said the furore over the match-fixing allegations against Pakistan cricketers has influenced the British public’s attitude to donating for flood relief in the country.
James Caan, chairman of the British Pakistan Foundation, said that the activities of the cricketers and unsubstantiated counter allegations by Pakistani Cricket Authorities “have sown a seed of mistrust” in the British public.
He said, “Pakistan is a troubled country: there is no doubt about that but this is our chance to have a positive influence on its future. The actions of a few should not affect the outcome of millions.”
Mr. Caan, who recently returned from an aid visit to the worst flood affected area of Pakistan, told the media in Manchester: “An area the size of the UK has been flooded and an estimated 20 million people have had their homes and livelihoods destroyed.”
He added: “It will take years to rebuild millions of lives in Pakistan. I urge everyone not to forget the victims of this disaster. Some people are trying to politicise the relief work and blame the Taliban. It is not about politics it is about people.”
Mr. Caan said the UN estimation is that $460 million will be needed for emergency relief but that the 54 million pounds contributed from the UK was, pro rata, way above any other country.
He said: “It makes me proud that donations from the UK are so impressive. When things really matter the British people always come up trumps.
There is so much work to be done and we need so much money that I beg you all not to forget the homeless and the sick children of Pakistan.”
Through the James Caan Foundation, Mr. Caan intends to re-build a flood destroyed village.
“I intend to dispel the seed of doubt that has been sown by Pakistan’s Cricket Authorities and that everything we do shall be totally transparent and accountable,” Mr. Cann said.
