The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration has withdrawn the No-Objection Certificate (NOC) for the fundraising event of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust at a local hotel in Islamabad. The event, intended to raise funds for an under-construction cancer facility in Karachi, was granted an NOC earlier by the district administration.
Despite earlier approval, the NOC was revoked without providing any specific reasons for the withdrawal. A senior official from Shaukat Khanum Hospital confirmed the withdrawal by the Additional District Magistrate of ICT. The event, featuring a musical concert and dinner, aimed to raise funds for the Karachi cancer hospital.
The hospital’s management attempted to secure permission from the administration but faced unsuccessful efforts. The Additional District Magistrate’s letter to the hospital warned of legal consequences if the event proceeded without the necessary permission.
Sources from the ICT administration suggested that the cancellation was related to conditions imposed by international financial institutions. Charitable organizations are required to disclose donor details and undergo audits, conditions reportedly rejected by the private charitable organization involved. The hospital refuted these claims, stating that all necessary information, including donor details and audits, is available on Shaukat Khanum’s website and that they were never asked for the specified information by the ICT administration. The hospital administration announced the cancellation of the event due to unavoidable reasons and plans to announce a new date soon.
