ISLAMABAD, March 2: A colourful charity fair was arranged by the Pakistan Foreign Office Women’s Association (PFOWA) at the Convention Centre on Sunday.

Sehba Musharraf, wife of President Gen Pervez Musharraf, was the chief guest on the occasion.

Women associated with the embassies of China, Turkey, Iran, Egypt, Sudan, Bosnia Herzegovina, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Russia, and Romania displayed handicrafts, pottery, jewellery, silk scarves, lanterns, paintings and eatables of their respective countries.

Gaoina Shevehenico, wife of the Russian ambassador, talking to this reporter on the occasion, said: “The proceeds of this charity fair will go back to orphanages and the poorest of the poor back home.

That is why I really appreciate this opportunity provided by the Pakistan government.”

Rezan Gur, wife of the Turkish ambassador, said: “The peoples of Pakistan and Turkey are sisters and brothers and, therefore, we are glad to do whatever we can for Pakistan. I am very happy to be given the opportunity to set up a stall displaying souvenirs of my country here, because I view it as another opportunity to foster bonds of friendship with our friends and brothers.”

Yasmin Haq, wife of the high commissioner of Bangladesh, said: “This way we have been given an opportunity to interact with the women belonging to other embassies and the Foreign Office. I always participate in this bazaar because the bonhomie generated by the collective goodwill is infectious and must be encouraged through other means as well.”

Although, due to security reasons, the charity fair was not open to the general public and participation was strictly on the basis of invitation, still some participants felt that only a select few should not have been the only ones to partake in this rich display of heritage by several countries.

Fouzia Fateh Khan, a teacher, said: “The security was already quite beefed up, therefore, if more families had been allowed to visit the Convention Centre, it would have been an even more productive activity.