The former prime minister explained that since no government alone could deal with such a catastrophe, the telethon was to help raise funds for flood relief programs.
“The entire country has been affected by the flood. As per initial assessment, losses of over Rs1,000 billion were incurred and over 1,000 people have died so far,” he said.
He said that the telethon was open to both Pakistani locals as well as overseas individuals, who could donate to two bank accounts associated with the PTI-ruled Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments.
The event was moderated by PTI leader Faisal Javed, and Punjab and KP chief ministers Perviaz Elahi and Mahmood Khan were also present. Some celebrities also joined the telethon, with British-Pakistani boxer Amir Khan pledging Rs5 million for flood victims. Similarly, Prime Minister Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan announced Rs30 million for flood affectees.
According to Faisal Javed, Imran Khan managed to raise Rs5 billion through the three-hour-long telethon.
As per Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal's estimates earlier on Monday, Pakistan's initial economic losses from the floods could reach $10 billion.