Karachi, 25 October 2025 – Dawood Global Foundation’s LADIESFUND, a steadfast advocate for women’s empowerment and health inclusivity, hosted the 6th LADIESFUND Breast Cancer Roundtable in partnership with Mrs. Samina Alvi’s Breast Cancer Task Force and M by Mahira Khan on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at The Buraq Center by LADIESFUND, Karachi, Pakistan.
This impactful event brought together a distinguished audience of healthcare stakeholders, breast cancer survivors, doctors, women entrepreneurs, and esteemed personalities to promote awareness and celebrate the resilience of survivors.
Chairperson Simi Kamil led the roundtable with a powerful message on the importance of early detection and community engagement.
Guest of Honour Mrs. Samina Alvi, Former First Lady of Pakistan and Chairperson of the Breast Cancer Task Force, lauded the initiative, stating, “Breast cancer is not just a women’s issue but a societal one. Events like these play a pivotal role in breaking stigmas, encouraging early detection, and providing much-needed support to survivors. I commend Dawood Global Foundation, LADIESFUND for their unwavering commitment to health inclusivity and request all to spread the word about self-examination.”
Hosted by Tara Uzra Dawood, President, LADIESFUND, the event featured inspiring stories from breast cancer survivors Sima Kamil, Fauzia Maung Khuhro, Samina Aslam, Dr. Faizullah Abbasi, Sara Bano, alongside distinguished guests from healthcare (Dr. Farah Essa), media (Shanaz Ramzi), law (Sana Pirzada, Sahar Iqbal), film (Samina Aslam), finance (Ayesha Jangda), audit (Moneeza Butt), fashion (Fariha Bawany, Nazneen Tariq Khan, Manizhe Ali, Sana Sultan), beauty (Rukaiya Adamjee, Suriani Wong), and mental health (Farida Azaad, Mariam Faisal Amin).
“Deeply humbled to gather some of the most incredible women and minds for an action-oriented discussion and roadmap for breast cancer in Pakistan,” said Tara Uzra Dawood.
“I am heading the LADIESFUND Breast Cancer Endowment Fund. We have successfully raised PKR 9 million so far. We invite you all to contribute and support this important cause, so that a dedicated Women’s Center can be established — helping women live healthier and longer lives through early detection and awareness about the causes of breast cancer,” said Sima Kamil.
“The best thing is that LADIESFUND is actively working with real plans and actions focused on breast cancer. I truly appreciate that they are also providing moral and emotional support to those affected. I am here to support them in this noble cause, and I am very thankful to them for the incredible work they are doing. I sincerely hope that their efforts will bring real change in the field of breast cancer awareness and care,” said Dr. Rufina Soomro.
“I had the honour of drafting the white paper on medical legal reform with a focus on breast cancer on behalf of Dawood Global Foundation and LADIESFUND. We spoke of different legal reforms required in the medical and judicial infrastructure of Pakistan, especially those that address breast cancer cases and during today’s session at the LADIESFUND headquarters at Buraq Center, we spoke a prospective bill or Act of Parliament that focuses on how to rehabilitate and make screenings readily available and how to have a tribunal to handle negligence cases,” said lawyer Sana Sharifuddin Pirzada.
Ayesha Ashraf Jangda remarked, “LADIESFUND has done a remarkable job in putting together this event for developing actionable goals for breast cancer prevention and we are honoured as BankIslami to be a Supporter of this event, especially as we have a free Breast Cancer Takaful embedded in our women-centric Mashal Savings Account.”
“At today’s event, these were not just words we are taking real steps forward. Ms. Tara Uzra Dawood announced that she is establishing a Women Cancer Center where free services will be provided to women. Additionally, women who are cancer survivors will receive mental health support through dedicated LADIESFUND support groups, where they can share their experiences and help one another overcome mental and emotional stress” said Sarwar Peshimam, founder, MD, Shahi Enterprises.
The stories shared by breast cancer survivors were deeply moving, with Dr. Faizullah Abbasi courageously recounting his personal journey in a room full of women, an inspiring reminder of shared strength, compassion, and the collective fight against cancer; and Saba Rehan speaking about her life falling apart when at age 29 she discovered she had breast cancer.
Nighat Misbah’s Depilex was the Beauty Partner, Igloo Pakistan the Ice Cream Partner, Bombay Sweets as Chief Guest gift basket partner, and Bank Islami as Supporter.
Dawood Global Foundation’s LADIESFUND remains committed to advancing health inclusivity and empowering women through impactful initiatives, once again proving that collective action can lead to transformative change.
