Salman Ahmed, the lead singer of the popular Pakistani band Junoon

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – Thousands of civilians trapped in Pakistan’s northwest Frontier Province, where the military is pounding Taliban insurgents, face ‘humanitarian catastrophe’ unless help reaches them soon, the New York-based Human Rights Watch said late last month. “The government cannot allow the local population to remain trapped without food, clean water and medicine as a tactic to defeat the Taliban,” said Brad Adams, the group’s Asia director. Reports of civilians killed in the crossfire continued to flood in, the group said, as people desperately try to find food and water for their families, or try and escape the aerial and ground bombardments.

Keynote speaker Salman Ahmed, the lead singer of the popular Pakistani band Junoon, passionately addressed the sea of supporters, particularly the youth. “I want all the young people out here today to at least take away one thing from this rally,” he said. “As Pakistani Americans, we need to make a sacrifice for our country and our people back home. Educate yourselves and your friends about the situation and encourage people to support through donations. With these efforts, we will be on our way to making Pakistan a safe and peaceful country.”The Government of Pakistan has established a Prime Minister’s Special Fund for victims and the Consulate General of Pakistan in Los Angeles has opened a universal bank account to collect donations.The military launched its operation in the districts of Lower Dir on April 26, Buner on April 28 and Swat on May 8, after Taliban fighters advanced to within 100 kilometers (about 62 miles) of Islamabad.

Source:http://www.infocusnews.net/