Indonesian CG organises blood donation program

KARACHI: On Sunday, the Indonesian Consulate General in Karachi worked with the Afzaal Memorial Thalassemia Foundation (AMTF) to hold a blood donation event.
The programme has become a tradition as part of Indonesia’s Independence Day celebrations on August 17, which is the 77th time it has been held.
Commissioner of Karachi Muhammad Iqbal Memon, Consul Generals from Turkey, Thailand, and Vietnam, and the Head of Trade Office of Vietnam, as well as Pakistani colleagues from the business and social culture community and members of the Indonesian Community in Karachi, all attended the event.
During his opening remarks, Dr. June Kuncoro Hadiningrat, the Indonesian Consul General, said that this event is a way for Indonesia and Pakistan, the two largest Muslim countries and brotherly nations that helped each other get their independence, to get closer. Sharing their blood is also a sign of tolerance from the Indonesian community in Karachi and Pakistani society, especially for people with Thalassemia.
M. Iqbal Memon, who is the Commissioner of Karachi, gave the Consulate’s initiative his highest praise. This was done as part of an effort to improve relations between the two countries. He also said that the Karachi Metropolitan Commission (KMC) is always ready to connect the foreign mission and the Pakistani government. He also said that he was worried about the number of people with thalassemia in Pakistan, especially in Karachi.
Last but not least, the CEO of AMTF, Dr. Asim Qidwai, sent his thanks to the Consulate for working together to set up an annual blood donation programme. Dr. Asim Qidwai also said that he was ready to work with Indonesia to fight Thalassemia disease in more ways, such as by getting cheaper medicines for Thalassemia or by working with educational institutions.
People from the diplomatic and business community, Iqra University, and the Indonesian community in Karachi all took part in the blood donation programme, which was a success. With this programme, Indonesia and Pakistan are no longer just two different countries; they are also now related by blood.