Government disallows fundraiser for cancer hospital

Islamabad: Without citing any reason, the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration Thursday withdrew the No-Objection Certificate (NOC) issued to the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust for holding fund raiser at a local hotel in Islamabad on Friday.

“The Additional District Magistrate of ICT has withdrawn an NOC issued to us for holding the fund raising gala dinner at a local hotel in the federal capital on Friday evening. No reason was cited for withdrawal of the NOC by the authorities despite our repeated requests”, a senior official of the Shaukat Khanum Hospital told The News.

The Shaukat Khanum Hospital official said they had planned the fund raising event which included a musical concert and dinner to raise funds for the under construction cancer facility in Karachi, which would be the largest cancer treatment facility in the country but without citing any reason, the permission to hold the even was withdrawn abruptly.

He maintained that it was a non-political activity for charity purposes and people from different walks of life had confirmed their participation and support in the event, and adding termed it a blow to the charitable activities in Pakistan.

A letter by the Additional District Magistrate of ICT also directed the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust not to conduct the ‘said activity’ at the local hotel on Dec. 29, 2023, warning that non-compliance could result in necessary legal proceedings.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital Dr. Faisal Sultan, who is also former Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on health and other team members tried their best to get the even held as per plans but in vain as no reason was given for the cancellation of NOC for the fund raiser, the official added.

Failed to get the permission to hold the fund raise as planned, the Shaukat Khanum Hospital administration formally announced the cancellation of fund raising gala dinner due to unavoidable reasons on late Thursday late, and added that new date would be announced soon.

On the other hand, ICT administration sources said the fund raising event was cancelled due to conditions set by the international monetary institutions as charitable organizations are bound to share details of the donors and audits but the private charitable organization refused to provide the required details.