Air Marshal Arshad Malik and Fahim Kayani Address an Event on Global Crises, Hosted by Cllr Zanib Raja

Luton (PNI) Cllr Zanib Raja hosted a special community gathering at Luton Council Chamber, welcoming Air Marshal Arshad Malik (Retd.), Vice President of Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan, and Fahim Kayani, Co-Founder of Aghosh UK, as guest speakers.

In her introduction, Cllr Zanib Raja underscored Air Marshal Malik’s distinguished career—as a Three-Star General, former Vice Chief of Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force, and ex-CEO of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). She highlighted his leadership of the JF-17 Thunder programme, tenure as Chairman of Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra, and his national honours: Hilal-i-Imtiaz, Sitara-i-Imtiaz, and Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Military).

Cllr Zanib Raja praised Luton’s community spirit, particularly on charitable causes. Fahim Kayani expressed gratitude for the local support, especially during Aghosh UK’s appeals for Pakistan flood relief and Gaza humanitarian projects. He noted the recent successful Gaza charity event in Luton that raised substantial funds for shelter villages, orphan sponsorships, and medical education. Cllrs Aslam Raja and Amjad Ali also extended their welcome to the guests.

In his keynote address, Air Marshal Arshad Malik thanked Cllr Zanib Raja for hosting the event and briefed attendees—councillors, community leaders, health professionals, academics, and relief representatives—on Alkhidmat Foundation’s relief efforts in Gaza and Pakistan. He shared that Pakistan ranks 6th globally in aid sent to Gaza, dispatching more than 25 air cargo shipments and two ships with government support. He also described his visits to Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon, where he met officials and signed MoUs to secure aid delivery.

He stressed that while Alkhidmat and its partners—including Aghosh UK and chapters in USA, Norway, Spain, Italy, and other countries—are delivering shelters, food, clean water, clinics, and orphan care, the humanitarian situation remains dire. He cited the United Nations’ warning that famine is already occurring in Gaza, describing it as the fastest decline into famine ever recorded, with children being the most affected. He urged the community to continue their support despite the severe restrictions on aid.

Reflecting on Alkhidmat’s role during the Pakistan floods of 2022 and 2025, Air Marshal Malik praised over 70,000 volunteers, calling them the “jewels in the crown” of the organisation. He noted that in the August 2025 floods, Alkhidmat spent 25 crore rupees on relief operations, while continuing its work across eight sectors, including orphan care, health, education, disaster management, water & sanitation, and community development. The foundation currently supports more than 32,000 orphans across Pakistan.

The event was attended by a broad spectrum of community leaders and dignitaries, including Cllr Zahoor, Cllr Anwar ul Haq, Cllr Adrees Ahmed, Raja Naeem, Ch Shafait Pothi (Chairman Luton Central Masjid), Dr M. Yasin, Dr Rizwan Butt, Muhammad Maqsood (UKIM Relief In-Charge), Hurriyat Leader Nazir Ahmed Qureshi, Ch M. Qurban, Riaz Zaman (President Bury Park Business Community Forum ), Mohammed Alyas (Solicitor) Ch M. Sharif (Senior Vice President Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK), Ch Zahid Iqbal (Vice President TeK South Zone), Farukh Murad Qureshi (President TeK Luton), Aqdis Mughal, Hafiz Khan, Dr Professor Iftikhar Butt, Former Mayors Riaz Butt and Waheed Akbar, as well as community activists Shaheed Sarwar, Shukat Butt, and Yasin Kayani.