Outrage as celebs, activists lambast blocking Shaukat Khanum Karachi fundraiser

Islamabad authorities withdrew the No-Objection Certificate (NOC) for the Shaukat Khanum Karachi fundraiser event, which was scheduled for Friday (December 29) at a local hotel in Islamabad.

In response to the cancellation of their fundraising event, Shaukat Khanum management criticised the Islamabad administration for "failing to provide a clear reason for their decision to revoke the NOC".

The Islamabad administration initially approved the event for the under construction cancer hospital in Karachi, expected to be the country's largest cancer treatment centre.

The event planned a musical concert and dinner for donors but the Islamabad administration abruptly withdrew their approval.

The Islamabad administration officials claimed that the Shaukat Khanum staff did not provide necessary financial records and donor identities, a prerequisite set by the international monetary institutions for charitable organisations, that ultimately led to the cancellation of the fundraising event.

The decision to revoke the NOC for the Shaukat Khanum Karachi fundraiser sparked outrage on social media, with activists, politicians, and celebrities voicing their criticism.

Renowned singer and philanthropist Shehzad Roy, on 'X', passionately appealed not to cancel the crucial event, stating that “Pakistan does not produce any cancer medicine locally. In this kind of situation, @SKMCH is a blessing . Please allow them to host this event and raise funds.”

Khuda kay waastay yeh na karain🙏. Pakistan does not produce any cancer medicine locally. In this kind of situation, @SKMCH is a blessing . Please allow them to host this event and raise funds 🙏 https://t.co/uSvbWZltPa

— Shehzad Roy (@ShehzadRoy) December 29, 2023

Film star Shaan Shahid stressed the importance of prioritising humanity over petty political interests. 

“Cancer patients don’t belong to a political party .. they belong to all of us .. so we can support, cure and care for them,” he wrote on ‘X’.

Cancer patients don’t belong to a political party .. they belong to all of us .. so we can support cure and care for them .. humanity is what we should all represent above all ..@Shahidmasooddr . Ya ALLAH madad.

— Shaan Shahid (@mshaanshahid) December 29, 2023

President Dr Arif Alvi criticised the decision to hinder access to crucial treatment in a state-of-the-art cancer treatment center, warning that it could jeopardise the lives of thousands of cancer patients in Pakistan.

He shared his thoughts on ‘X’ stating that “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 @Saminalvi in spreading awareness for early diagnosis of breast cancer to save lives, we all are very aware of the costly cancer burden of Pakistan. Suspending permission to raise funds leading to any delay in construction of the SKMCH hospital in Karachi would lead to potential deaths of thousands who still go untreated”

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

Journalists Kamran Khan, Rabia Anum Obiad, Zarrar Khuhro, host and comedian Shafaat Ali also expressed displeasure over the cancellation of the event, allegedly motivated by political interests. 

Suspending permission to raise funds for Pakistan's second largest cancer hospital in Karachi is sheer madness. No one can deny Imran Khan's relentless global efforts to build the Shaukat Khanum cancer hospital in Lahore. The second Shaukat Khanum hospital near completion in… pic.twitter.com/9pZiH5dRvX

— Kamran Khan (@AajKamranKhan) December 29, 2023

Pathetic ridiculous and petty move to cancel the NOC of shaukat khanum fundraising event; an organisation that has saved the lives of countless Pakistanis. https://t.co/HKyvA84Mpd

— Zarrar Khuhro (@ZarrarKhuhro) December 29, 2023

Avoid turning @SKMCH into a political casualty in this score-settling; it's too valuable to become collateral in political frictions. Cancer is a grave challenge, and @SKMCH is genuinely fighting this battle. Please 🙏 Spare @SKMCH ! https://t.co/9Ehfk5eEDk

— Shafaat Ali (@iamshafaatali) December 29, 2023