Aman Foundation to give £1m to Prince Charles’ £3m fund for Pak projects

Prince lauds commitment made by Fayeeza Naqvi and Arif Naqvi of Aman Foundation; Bestway Group Chief Executive Zameer Chaudrey appreciates Charles’ love and care for Pakistanis

LONDON: The Prince of Wales has applauded a Pakistani philanthropist organisation – the Aman Foundation – for helping him to reach out to some of the most vulnerable and needy sections of Pakistani society.

Speaking at the third annual dinner of the British Asian Trust, one of the Prince of Wales’ charities, Prince Charles initiated a multi-million Pound fund for Pakistan to support skills and training for some of the country’s most disadvantaged people and singled out the Aman Foundation’s Fayeeza Naqvi and Arif Naqvi for their “commitment” towards promoting skills and entrepreneurship for the deserving communities.

The Prince of Wales, accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall, announced that through an extensive campaign, £3 million will be raised towards projects in Pakistan, which will be run in association with the Aman Foundation, who announced contribution of £1 million at the event, and with the UK government’s Department for International Development.

The Prince of Wales said that he was pleased to announce £3 million dedicated to work in Pakistan and thanked the Department for International Development for agreeing to match a public appeal pound-for-pound through the UK Aid Match Scheme, enabling the Trust to unlock up to £2 million. “Alongside this, the Aman Foundation has made an incredibly generous £1 million donation. I need hardly say I am extremely grateful to Fayeeza Naqvi and Arif Naqvi for the commitment they have made. The fund will support the exponential growth of my Trust’s work in Pakistan on livelihoods and mental health, ensuring that we reach even more of Pakistan’s most vulnerable people in the years ahead,” added the Prince of Wales.

The event, held at the Natural History Museum, saw some of the most distinguished personalities turning up to support the cause of development for some of the most deprived communities in South Asian countries.

Guests included music mogul Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, Leona Lewis, Labrinth, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Bestway Group’s CEO Zameer Choudrey, Hinduja brothers, Syed Zulfi Bukhari, Asif Rangoonwala, Saad Awan, mainstream journalists, dozens of bankers and a large number of celebrities.

Noted public figures speaking to Geo News commented that it was important for those who were privileged and blessed to help out those who are in need and have nowhere else to look to.

Bestway Group Chief Executive Zameer Choudrey, awarded CBE by Her Majesty the Queen last month, welcomed the Pakistan initiative by the trust.  Zameer Choudrey praised Prince Charles for taking keen interest in the welfare of ordinary Pakistani people. He said that the Prince of Wales himself had set up the British Asian Trust and was interested in doing great things for the worthy causes.

Zameer Choudrey said that the Prince of Wales had himself raised funds for the victims of earthquake and floods in Pakistan and inspired many others to help the victims in Pakistan. “The Prince of Wales wants to work for the betterment of Pakistan. He loves Pakistan and cares about its people and we are thankful to him for his sense of care.

“He is devoted to worthy causes and it’s our responsibility to take part in worthy causes and help others.”

Zameer Choudery said Pakistan has serious issues with lots of poverty and deprivation and there was the duty of all affluent overseas Pakistanis to play their role in addressing this issue. “Being affluent and resourceful means that we have a duty towards others and I will appeal to everyone to take interest in the welfare of Pakistan and help create a just and fair society.”

The British Asian Trust’s first-ever ambassador, British TV star Sanjeev Bhaskar OBE, hosted the event for 450 supporters and ambassadors, with British chart topper Leona Lewis providing a spectacular performance for the guests.

Richard Hawkes, CEO, British Asian Trust, said: “This has been a fantastic evening for the Trust.

We have felt tremendous support, warmth and encouragement for our work from all of the guests. On this important night, not only did we raise £900,000 for the charity, we also announced our first ever public appeal and partnership to aid Pakistan with the DFID and the Aman Foundation. 2016 will be another exciting year ahead for the British Asian Trust.”