Press Release, 7 March 2024
Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) and Cheezious, a prominent fast-food chain in Pakistan, have collaborated to provide essential medical assistance to the people of Gaza. The fast-food chain will donate Rs 50 for every meal sold to support PIMA’s Gaza medical relief efforts for providing medical supplies and treating the injured.
The memorandum of understanding, titled “Every Order Counts,” was signed by the general secretary of PIMA, Dr. Iftikhar Burney, and the Executive Director of Cheezious, Umer Farooq, on Thursday.
The ceremony was attended by President PIMA Islamabad, Dr. Saeedullah Shah; former president, Brig. Dr. Asif Nawaz; Head of Marketing, Zihaib Hassan and Director of Corporate Affairs, Azam Shafi.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Iftikhar Burney said that collaboration in acts of goodness and charity is an integral part of Islamic teachings. This MoU is a step forward in this direction. Serving humanity is our fundamental responsibility as doctors, and at this moment, the greatest opportunity for humanitarian service lies in assisting the people of Gaza.
He emphasized the urgent need to end the blockade in Rafah/ Gaza and establish safe humanitarian corridors for the seamless supply of medical aid, food, and the safe evacuation of the wounded. “We welcome the private sector’s collaboration in providing much-needed medical assistance to Gaza, acknowledging the crucial role it plays in addressing humanitarian crises”, he added.
Dr. Burney also highlighted PIMA’s longstanding commitment to Gaza, noting the organization’s consistent dispatch of medical missions to the region since 2008.
