Minutes of the Special meeting of the WPC for the IDPs, Monday, June 1, 2009

1. The Special meeting of the Working Council was held at the WPC office on Monday,
June 1, 2009 at 1:00 pm. Since Madam Speaker was travelling abroad, Nafisa Shah
MNA (Secretary WPC) chaired the meeting. Those who attended:
a. Nuzhat Sadiq MNA Treasurer
b. Farahnaz Isphani MNA on special invitation
c. Tasneem Siddiqui MNA on Special invitation
d. Dr. Durdana Medical Officer Parliament House on special invitation

2. Nafisa Shah briefed the meeting about the incentives taken by Madam Speaker in the
relief operations for the IDPs. She however stressed that while most of the women
MNAs were already working in this realm from the platform of their respective
political parities, there was much need for the Caucus to show its presence. She
informed that the Caucus has been approached by two organisations, namely NCHD
which is running a medical camp at Mardan and by a group of doctors from Ayub
Medical College, operating a field hospital in Sheikh Mansoor Camp in Swabi.
3. Farahnaz Isphani stressed the need for a field presence of the Caucus. She proposed
regular visits by the Caucus members.
4. Nafisa Shah informed that NCHD is in a process of organising “Child Learning and
Play Centres”. It would be good idea if the Caucus takes up the responsibility of one
such centre. She also informed that she had received a list of required medicines from
NCHD and would soon be getting a similar wish-list from the Doctors’ Group.
However, she would need resources to buy the material.
5. Farahnaz Ispahani suggested writing to women ambassadors based in Islamabad and
other donor sources to contribute to the cause. In addition, it was also proposed to
request to the Speaker to contribute from the Speaker’s Relief Fund.
6. Nuzhat Sadiq MNA was entrusted the responsibility to raise the funds and manage
them accordingly.
7. The meeting requested Dr. Durdana to identify the pharmaceutical companies which
could donate the required medicines.
8. Tasneem Siddiqui MNA stressed that schools for children should be the focus of the
Caucus. She reminded that since Swat is a hill station, the schools have their annual
vacations during the winters and this time of the year, it’s the time when they have
regular classes.
9. Nafisa Shah announced a donation of Rs.100,000/- , Farahnaz Isphahani announced a
donation of Rs.50,000/-, Dr. Durdana announced a donation of Rs.50,000/- and Syed
Shamoon Hashmi, Coordinator WPC donated Rs.10,000/-. Later, Dr. Azra Fazal
Pacheho also donated Rs.50,000/-.
10. It was decided that all the members would be invited to join the visiting delegations.
It was also agreed to undertake the first visit on June 6, Saturday and on June 11,
Thursday.
11. The meeting also decided to request all the women members to contribute generously
to the cause.