ISLAMABAD: President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi, on Friday called on relevant authorities to reconsider the decision to cancel the fundraising No Objection Certificate (NOC) for Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital.
In a social media post on platform X (formerly Twitter), the President emphasized the hospital’s global recognition as a state-of-the-art facility providing advanced treatments for underprivileged cancer patients.
Dr. Alvi, personally involved in oral cancer prevention and treatment, highlighted his wife Samina Alvi’s efforts in promoting early breast cancer diagnosis.
Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital is a world recognized, state of the art facility that has been providing cutting edge top of the line treatments for poor cancer patients since its inception. Having been personally involved in preventing & treating oral cancer all my life and Mrs…
— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) December 29, 2023
Expressing concern, the President warned that delaying fundraising for the Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital in Karachi could potentially result in the deaths of thousands of untreated individuals. He underscored Pakistan’s urgent need for curative healthcare and advocated for the encouragement of private philanthropy.
Earlier today, the Islamabad Administration abruptly withdrew the previously granted NOC to Shaukat Khanum Hospital for fundraising event related to the construction of the Karachi’s Shaukat Khanam Hospital. The withdrawal was attributed to non-compliance with regulations.
The official notification, widely shared on social media, nullified the NOC with immediate effect, instructing organizers to halt the scheduled fundraising event at a private hotel in Islamabad, warning of legal consequences for non-compliance.
The sudden withdrawal raises questions about the rationale behind the decision and its potential impact on the planned fundraising efforts for the largest under-construction cancer hospital in Karachi.
