The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry hosted a fundraising event at its capital office to support flood-affected communities, announcing that relief supplies collected under the Federation Flood Relief Fund will be handed over to the Shahid Afridi Foundation. The gathering brought together business leaders, media figures and the foundation’s team, who pledged joint efforts to provide shelter, clean water and healthcare to those most affected by recent floods.
The event was attended by national hero and former cricketer Shahid Khan Afridi, senior journalist and anchor Saleem Safi, FPCCI President Atif Akram Sheikh, and other prominent members of the business community. Atif Akram Sheikh addressed attendees, praising Afridi’s humanitarian work and confirming that the federation’s relief goods will be transferred to the Shahid Afridi Foundation for distribution among flood victims.
Sheikh highlighted the scale of the crisis, saying more than 4.2 million people in Punjab alone have been affected by the recent floods. He described Afridi as one of cricket’s greatest all-rounders whose public service extends far beyond sport, and urged the business community and the public to actively join the relief effort.
Saleem Safi commended Afridi’s commitment, noting that he could have chosen a comfortable life but instead devoted himself to public service. Safi called on citizens and businesses to support the Shahid Afridi Foundation however they can.
Shahid Afridi emphasized that Pakistan has given him much and now it is his duty to give back. He said that serving people brings the greatest peace and described the severe losses suffered in areas such as Bunair and Dir, including instances where entire families have been wiped out. Afridi spoke of plans to rebuild homes in ways that reduce the risk of future flood damage and said he will be traveling to flood-affected districts in Punjab to oversee relief and reconstruction efforts. He also urged collaboration with the business community, calling it a national strength.
Representatives of the Shahid Afridi Foundation outlined the organization’s ongoing projects and needs. Zafar Malik, the foundation’s senior executive, said the foundation is active in underserved areas on health and clean-water initiatives and noted that a stretch of roughly 700 miles from Gwadar to Quetta lacks hospital facilities. He added that the foundation recently completed a drinking-water project in Khushab and stressed that Afridi prefers transparency over publicity. Foundation leaders expressed a strong interest in working closely with the business community to scale up relief, rehabilitation and development projects.
The FPCCI event underscored a coordinated public-private approach to flood relief, with pledges to convert funds and supplies into lasting aid—shelter, clean water, and health services—aimed at preventing future vulnerabilities among affected communities.
