President of Pakistan and First Lady attended the event and iftar dinner for special children organized by the support of Heydar Aliyev Foundation in Islamabad

An event was organized at the President’s House in Islamabad on the occasion of International Children’s day and Holy month of Ramadan, by the support of Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

Along with the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi and First Lady Samina Alvi, some Ministers, MNAs, well-known public and political figures, ambassadors and diplomats of several foreign countries accredited to Pakistan attanded the event.

On behalf of President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, First Lady of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva, the Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Pakistan Ali Alizada welcomed the President and the children on the occasion of the International Children's Day and the holy month of Ramadan and noted that the protection of children, improvement of their welfare, provision of their rights and freedoms and also coordination of state policy in this sphere is one of the main responsibilities of the Government of Azerbaijan. “Moreover, non-governmental organizations also actively participate in the protection of children's rights in Azerbaijan.”

Ambassador emphasized that a special role in the protection of children in Azerbaijan and beyond belongs to Heydar Aliyev Foundation of Azerbaijan, especially to the president of the Foundation, Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO and ISESCO, First Lady Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva. Since its establishment, by the initiative of Madam M.Aliyeva, the Foundation has started its activity in Pakistan and has carried out various healthcare, education, development, social and humanitarian activities in many provinces of this country and these works continue successfully today.

Noting the need to protect the rights and interests of the children, the Ambassador pointed out that many social indicators reflect Pakistan's success in protecting children's rights over the past few years and that the gracious presence of the President of Pakistan at the event is a clear example of the state's efforts and commitment to the protection of the children.

The Ambassador said that Azerbaijan and Pakistan have always had friendly and fraternal relations originating from common moral values, and that the consent given to commemorate International Children's Day and the holy month of Ramadan by Heydar Aliyev Foundation together with the children in need of special care at the President’s House, as well as personal participation of the President and First Lady of Pakistan at the event, as a manifestation of friendship and brotherhood between the two countries, as well as of the attention paid to the protection of children. He thanked President and First Lady of Pakistan, as well as First Lady of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva for constant support.

The special Chief Guest of the event, President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi expressed his gratitude to the President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, First Lady of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva, for the social and humanitarian projects implemented by the Foundation in Pakistan after the earthquake which happened in 2005 and said that Azerbaijan and Pakistan enjoy very close friendship relations based on common cultural and spiritual values ​​originating from history. The President also noted that the aid provided to Pakistan's charity organizations, schools and centers by the Foundation is a manifestation of sincere benevolence sentiments. He also emphasized the importance of helping children in need of special care, noting that not only the state, but also the wealthy people of the society are responsible for that and should be more active in humanitarian sphere.

The event was attented by more than 400 children who are in need of special care, representing various schools of the Directorate General for Special Education, the Talassemia Center, Military Academy and military schools for Special Children. They demonstrated their skills, presenting different performances and showing that disability is not inability. After the official part of the event, the Iftar dinner was organized for the children and the schools’ staff, with the participation of President and First Lady of Pakistan, and gifts from the Heydar Aliyev Foundation were presented to all of the children.