Kingsley Pledges to Help Raise Funds for Pakistan Quake Victims
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS -- Ben Kingsley promised Tuesday to help raise funds to assist victims of a powerful earthquake in Pakistan last year that killed about 87,000 people and left millions homeless.
The 62-year-old British actor praised efforts by the Pakistani government to handle the aftermath of the Oct. 8 earthquake that flattened entire villages in Pakistan's portion of Kashmir and surrounding areas.
Kingsley met with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in Islamabad, the prime minister's press office said in a statement.
Aziz said Kingsley's involvement would help draw the attention of the world community to the continuing need for assistance in rehabilitating and rebuilding quake-hit areas, the statement said.
"Sir Kingsley assured the prime minister that he would join the Pakistan government's efforts to raise more funds" for those affected by the quake, the statement said.
It didn't say whether Kingsley had visited the quake zone or would travel there soon. Officials at Aziz's press office weren't available for comment.
Kingsley, 62, won a best-actor Oscar in 1983 for "Gandhi." His screen credits also include Oscar-nominated roles in "Bugsy," "Sexy Beast" and "House of Sand and Fog."
He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2002.