EMAT was established by Mian Akbar Ali and registered as a charity in 1999. Mr Mian’s family originated in Pakistan, but he has lived in Britain since 1963, and made Aberdeen, Scotland the family home in 1982.
The EMAT charity was set up to provide 100% free eye care in Liaquat Pur in the district of Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan, where the Mian family originated and still has a major presence. Liaquat Pur is situated within a desert area and has a high incidence of eye problems partially caused by its location.
The charity is managed by family and friends, who have committed to maximising the charitable value of all donations received.
This is achieved by:
- the family in Britain and Pakistan funding all running costs and providing their services at no cost to the charity;
- carefully selecting projects in Pakistan where through their local knowledge, contacts and personal supervision they can ensure that all the donations reach their intended targets, without dilution, overheads or middle-men.
The Aims of the charity are to:
- provide free medical eye care
- establish an eye clinic
- assist in disaster relief as appropriate
- provide these services to all men, women, children alike irrespective of religion, gender or race
Following the success of the annual eye camps the charity raised funds to acquire land for and is currently building a permanent eye hospital to enable even more patients to regain their sight. The construction phase is well underway, with a target date of winter 2011 to open for patients.
In response to the 2005 Pakistan earthquake EMAT funded, organised and personally supervised seven truck loads of blankets and foodstuffs to be delivered into the disaster area.
The charity is now raising funds for the 2010 Pakistan flood disaster, with the intention of distributing £100,000 of food packs.
The EMAT team consists of:
- Mian Akbar Ali (above left) 07590 712034 : Founder and Chairman, oversight, fundraising and field work
- Sarfraz Ali (above right) 07590 712031 : Trustee, strategy, projects, fundraising and field work
- Muhammed Javed Akthar 07590 712029 : Secretary, accounting and administration
- Iftikar Mian 07590 712030 : Marketing, PR, fundraising (and occasional drawings)