ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan Foreign Office Women’s Association (PFOWA) onSunday held its annual charity bazar, bringing together a vast mix ofcultural diversity from different countries.First Lady, Samina Alvi inaugurated the charity bazar at the premises ofForeign Affairs Ministry, where stalls showcased traditional artefacts ofcountries including China, Russia, Azerbaijan,Indonesia, Egypt, Bangladesh, Iran, Japan, Central Asian states, Malaysia,Portugal, Sri Lanka,Sudan, Tunisia, Turkey, Uzbekistan and Yemen.Begum Alvi in her address said it was heartening that the charity bazar waspresenting abouquet of culture, art and cuisine with an essence of harmony and affinityamong different nations.She lauded Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the diplomatic community inIslamabad to team upfor a noble cause of philanthropy.She also shared her philanthropic work including providing education tostreet children, women empowerment, distribution of ration and cleandrinking water to underprivileged Muslims and minorities, and arrangingcataract surgeries.She added that the PFOWA charity Bazaar was a good opportunity fordiplomats from different countries to learn about each other’s cultures.Flanked by Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua, the First Lady also visiteddifferent stalls set up at the bazaar.Chinese Deputy Head of Mission Lijian Zhao donated Rs one million to PFOWAon behalf on the embassy of China.Earlier, President PFOWA Anila Hassan in her welcome address said the themeof bazar ‘Celebration of diversity’ was apt at times when the world wasfacing the issues of tolerance and discrimination on the basis of race,colour, caste and creed.Patron PFOWA Mehreen Qureshi said the Association was adhering to itsmission of philanthropy since 1947 to reach out to low-income families indiplomatic corps.A ‘Parade of nations’ was held where children of diplomatic staffers,donning cultural dresses of their respective countries, presented tableausand waved their respective national flagsThe PFOWA bazaar also provided the visitors an opportunity to indulge theirtaste buds into dining experience of a variety of cuisines from differentcountries.
Charity Bazaar held at Pakistan Foreign Office
