Successful HHRD Fundraising Dinner in Houston Raises Strong Support for KIND-R Hospital in Karachi

Younis Khan makes special appearance; signed bats, balls and jerseys auctioned; Syed Javaid Anwar pledges $100,000

HOUSTON:- A Rehman Patel

A successful fundraising dinner was organized in Houston by Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD) to support KIND-R Hospital in Karachi. The event drew a large gathering of Pakistani Americans, philanthropists, business leaders, social and community figures, as well as a significant number of women. Attendees contributed generously to support the hospital’s humanitarian mission.

KIND-R Hospital is one of HHRD’s major and distinctive healthcare initiatives. Over the past several years, fundraising efforts for the project have been conducted across the United States and other parts of the world. The first phase of the project has now been completed and the hospital is operational in Karachi, providing modern medical services to patients.

The hospital focuses on specialized care in neurology, neurosurgery, physiotherapy, mental health and physical rehabilitation, particularly for patients and families who may otherwise find specialized treatment financially difficult to access.

The successful development of this major healthcare project was described as an important achievement for HHRD. The organization mobilizes resources through donors, volunteers and supporters in different parts of the world for humanitarian projects, and KIND-R Hospital has emerged as a significant example of that collective effort.

A major attraction of the Houston fundraising event was the special participation of former Pakistan cricket team captain and legendary cricketer Younis Khan, who received a warm welcome from the audience. Khan praised HHRD’s humanitarian mission and extended his support to the fundraising campaign for the hospital.

During the evening, cricket bats, balls and jerseys signed by Younis Khan were auctioned. Participants enthusiastically placed bids for the memorabilia, helping raise thousands of dollars for the hospital.

One of the most significant moments of the evening came when prominent Pakistani American businessman and philanthropist Syed Javaid Anwar announced a donation of $100,000 for KIND-R Hospital. His generous contribution received an enthusiastic response from the audience. Other philanthropists and community members also made substantial donations and expressed their commitment to the hospital’s mission.

The program also featured an engaging question and answer session with Younis Khan, which was warmly received by the audience. The discussion covered Pakistan cricket, the national team’s current performance, the country’s cricketing structure and, in particular, the importance of red-ball cricket. Drawing upon his extensive international experience, Khan responded to a variety of questions and shared his views on how Pakistan cricket could be strengthened.

Former first-class cricketers and other cricket personalities, including Naeem-ul-Haq, Sajid Riaz and Sajid Khan, also addressed the gathering. HHRD representatives Ilyas Chaudhry, Moez Khan and Javed Siddiqui, along with their team, played an important role in organizing the program and making the fundraising campaign a success.

The event was also attended by prominent figures representing Houston’s social, political, business and community organizations. Among them were PAVA President Abdul Rauf Khan, Abdul Rehman Patel, Azam Akhtar of the University of Karachi Alumni, Ghulam Moinuddin Chishti, prominent community leader Saeed Sheikh, Texas State Representative Dr. Suleman Lalani, PAGH President Siraj Narsi and Dr. Jalaluddin Qureshi, along with many others.

A large number of women also attended the program, including Shamim Patel, Falak Zahra and Sobia Siddiqui, representing various social and community circles.

Speakers emphasized that KIND-R is more than just a hospital. They described it as a new source of hope for thousands of families for whom expensive and specialized neurological and rehabilitation treatment may otherwise remain beyond reach. The hospital’s operation in Karachi demonstrates how overseas Pakistanis and international humanitarian organizations can work together to bring lasting and meaningful improvements to Pakistan’s healthcare sector.

The strong participation of Houston’s Pakistani American community, generous contributions from philanthropists and dedicated efforts of volunteers made the evening a highly successful fundraising event.

The gathering also reflected a broader reality: despite living thousands of miles away from their homeland, overseas Pakistanis continue to maintain strong connections with initiatives in healthcare, education and humanitarian service, and remain committed to helping those in need.