WASHINGTON: Jahangir Khan and Shahid Afridi, two of Pakistan’s greatest sportsmen, met with Pakistani community leaders and activists here on Wednesday.
During the discussion, they emphasized the need to enhance the conditions of the underprivileged Pakistani populations severely impacted by the economic crisis.
The six times world squash champion Jahangir Khan and Afridi are in the U.S. to raise funds for the Shahid Afridi Foundation (S.A.F.), which is working to uplift society’s poor and oppressed strata.
Masood Khan, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the U.S., said while welcoming the two heroes at the Pakistani embassy, “Pakistan is the most philanthropic and giving nation on the face of the earth, and Pakistani-Americans are no exception.”
He added, “I saw him (Afridi) distributing food in Azad Kashmir during the pandemic; his selfless services saved hundreds from starvation during the most challenging time.”
The Pakistani envoy added that the renowned Jahangir Khan was a source of inspiration for the country. He noted, “Children are named after Jahangir Khan.”
Masood Khan said, “From sporting heroes, Shahid Afridi and Jahangir Khan have become humanitarian heroes with their selfless services to the people. We salute them.”
According to Shahid Afridi, he began his humanitarian work in 2011 by building a hospital in his community. The organization has set up five mobile health centers to offer healthcare services to residents of remote areas. He said, “Pakistan has given me what I cannot even imagine — so I am trying to do my bit for my people.”
Afridi particularly praised the Pakistan Army for helping him reach out to those living in challenging regions. According to Jahangir Khan, helping the less fortunate in the country was a special honour.
A partner and co-owner of the Virginia Cancer Institute in Richmond and the SAF US branch chair, Dr. Attique Samdani, said the Foundation’s services were transparently given to deserving persons.
He claimed that fourteen girls’ schools were operating and that the Foundation’s water filtration units provided clean water to over 20,000 homes. As an additional incentive to ensure that their children received an education, the families were given meals and other essentials of life. —APP
