Houston, TX: The spirit of generosity was on full display as the Houston community united to support flood-affected families in Pakistan. At a grand fundraising gala, the city’s Pakistani-American organizations collectively raised more than $1 million in cash and in-kind donations — far exceeding the original goal of $500,000.

The event, organized through a partnership between the Alliance for Disaster Relief (AFDR), Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD), Pakistan Association of Greater Houston (PAGH), APPNA-STC, and the Houston-Karachi Sister City Association, drew a crowd of over 300 guests. Business leaders, philanthropists, and community advocates came together to rebuild lives and restore hope across Pakistan.

Chief Guest and Chief Patron of AFDR, Mr. Syed Javaid Anwar, the community’s most generous benefactor, set a remarkable example with his $150,000 donation. His inspiring words, “If you are blessed, let’s share it,” continue to echo as a powerful call for compassion and collective responsibility.

Consul General of Pakistan, Mr. Aftab Choudhary, commended the Pakistani-American community’s generosity and compassion, noting that Houston continues to lead in humanitarian outreach. Mr. Javaid Siddiqui, CEO of HHRD, emphasized that every contribution directly supports life-changing initiatives in the field.

Mr. Muhammad Saeed Sheikh, Coordinator of AFDR’s 2025 Pakistan Floods Relief and Rehabilitation campaign, outlined comprehensive recovery plans — including medical relief, construction of new homes, clean water access, and rebuilding of schools. These programs are expected to benefit more than 100,000 individuals throughout Pakistan.

A detailed progress report by HHRD Director, Mr. Ilyas Choudhary, highlighted past achievements and future goals, underscoring transparency, accountability, and a deep commitment to sustainable recovery.

Encouraging words from Assistant Chief of Police, Mr. Yasir Bashir, and community leader Mr. Hamza Ghia added a motivational spark to the evening, celebrating unity, leadership, and collective service.

A heartfelt acknowledgment was extended to Medical Bridges and its President & CEO, Mr. Walter Ulrich, for an extraordinary in-kind contribution valued at more than $400,000 in medical equipment and supplies. Their partnership will directly strengthen healthcare access in affected areas.

The evening also recognized the steadfast efforts of community supporters including Haroon Sheikh, Ahmed Alyasin, Javaid Ashraf, Dr. Naveed Saqib, Nick Dhanani, Faheem Khawaja, Siraj Narsi, and the HHRD team — Saad Ansari, Moeez Khan, Sobia Siddiqui, and Sami — for their dedication to this cause.

Special appreciation went to Tempura Food Management for their generous event support, and to the local media for amplifying the message of solidarity.

The gala’s success was made possible by the dedication of the organizing committee — Sameer Khan, Mehmood Ahmed, Shahzaib Sheikh, Maria Usmani, Saad Beg, and the PSA team comprising Farah Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Patel, and Mian Nazir.

Sage Productions and Zeejay Productions were also recognized for their vibrant event production that brought visual flair and heartfelt storytelling to the evening.

The night closed with a shared message of compassion and unity: “When Houston comes together, miracles happen. And today, Houston stands firmly with Pakistan.”

 To contribute or learn more about ongoing relief efforts, visit:

www.afdrusa.org | www.hhrd.org