On Sunday, 8 October 2023, Ambassador Azhar laid down the foundation stone of Okara Patient Welfare Association (OPWA) Health Complex (Mother and Child Care) - 100 bedded hospital at Waris Colony, Garden Town, Okara. Present on this occasion were the Honourable Chaudhary Riaz-Ul-Haq Juj, former Member of National/Provincial Assembly and President of National Kisan Wing, Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz, Chairman and Governing Body, Brig. Retd Nasir Mansoor, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sheikh Ghafoor, Director of OPWA, regional administration and members of civil society of Okara. Ambassador Azhar was accompanied by Mrs. Norwati Binti Majudi, Immigration Attaché, Mr. Mohd Sukry Bin Ahmad, Assistant Immigration Attaché - I and Mr. Naeem Sabir Virk, Translator/Interpreter of the High Commission. Upon his arrival, His Excellency the High Commissioner planted a tree at the lawn of the Health Complex.
In his welcoming speech, Chaudhary Fayyaz Zafar, Director of Salwa Group of Industries thanked Ambassador Azhar for his gracious presence at the ceremony. He stated that the visit of His Excellency marked a significant moment for Okara people. In his briefing during the ceremony, Brig. Retd Nasir Mansoor informed the High Commissioner that OPWA was established in 2009 with the mission to provide subsidized and free healthcare to the people of Okara through District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital. OPWA was providing the primary, secondary diagnosing dialysis and its services inside and outside of District hospital Okara. Following its success, OPWA was going to build a new 100-bedded hospital covering the mother and child care health services and other services to the community. The project would be completed in two-year time at an estimated cost of USD 3 million to be fully funded by the private entities of Okara.
In his remarks, Ambassador Azhar expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Honourable Chaudhary Riaz ul Haq Juj and those involved in inviting him to the ceremony. He stated both countries have established good relations following the independence of Malaysia 66 years ago. Ambassador Azhar extended his appreciation to the work done by OPWA in providing social service to the community in Okara. He acknowledged the commendable effort which should be made known not only in Pakistan but also externally. He informed the guests that there were about 100,000 Pakistani diaspora in Malaysia. Malaysia looked at Pakistan as its strategic partner in this region. Pakistan has tremendous potential and Malaysia stood ready to assist and work together for the mutual benefit of both nations. In terms of trade, the High Commissioner apprised that for last year the bilateral trade volume was USD 1.8 billion. He stated that being an agricultural hub, Okara was a food basket of Pakistan producing rice, corn, maize, producing and dairy products as well as potatoes. He stated that Okara could export more of its agricultural products to Malaysia.
At the end of the ceremony, Brig. (Rtd.) Nasir Mansoor presented a shield of appreciation to the High Commissioner for honouring the invitation by OPWA to the ceremony.
