INFO REVIVAL OF PALPA WELFARE FUND

Dear Members, السلام عليكم

Through this letter PALPA wants to bring to your attention an important aspect which has gone out of our minds, because of shortage of resources in Welfare Fund over a period of time.

The Welfare Fund was created in $2005/6$, through which up to twenty-five (25) PALPA families were monetarily helped from time to time. Those families had serious financial difficulties, and PALPA had enough funds to help them on monthly basis.

The request for assistance was routed through the Executive Committee, where it was deliberated upon at length and the decision made YES OR NO.

Briefly, the matters addressed were pension discontinuation after a certain period of time, shortage of funds for medical treatments and tests, helping members for girls' marriages, educational expenses for children, paying rents when it wasn't possible for the individuals, providing transportation for going to the Crew Medical Centre, Banks or for buying groceries, litigation matters, etc etc.

The system introduced was that a small amount was deducted from each member's contribution and placed in a separate bank account, with the condition that this money will not be used anywhere other than for the welfare of individuals, shortlisted by the Executive Committee.

Sadly, this was not followed, the money was utilized for whatever else except for welfare of our members. The same was not replenished resulting in complete wiping out of welfare funds. The deserving individuals were left high and dry.

With the current situation of inflation and cost of living, it is very sad to see some of our members living in very bad conditions. This reflects extremely poorly on our community, while we are living pretty comfortably but our colleagues are barely hand to mouth. Pensions are pathetic, to say the least, & there is no likelihood of this source of income increasing.

With the foregoing, this Executive Committee has decided to re-energise the tradition of a robust Welfare Fund to provide reasonable help to those of our members who need community's support.

Therefore, all members, retired and serving, who can afford to contribute in PALPA WELFARE FUND may please do so in the following bank account, specifically kept for this purpose.

This Committee will be bound to explain utilization of this Welfare Fund without naming the recipients, while safeguarding their privacy. This money will not be used for any other purpose, even if money is desperately needed for something else. Your help and support in this humanitarian matter shall be highly appreciated. Kindly remember there is no upper or lower limit to contribute. Like always, our members are generous enough to take care of our own FAMILY OF PILOTS.

Thanking you and grateful for your anticipated donations and help.

With Best Regards,

Capt (Retd) Arif Majeed
GENERAL SECRETARY