Aleem Dar, Iftikhar Thakur Visit LCCI to Promote Thalassemia Awareness and Prevention“Thousands of children across Pakistan are living with thalassemia; initiatives like this are essential,” says LCCI President

By Farzana Chaudhry
Lahore, Pakistan
LAHORE — Renowned international cricket umpire Aleem Dar, accompanied by prominent actor and social worker Iftikhar Thakur, visited the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) to promote awareness about thalassemia and highlight the humanitarian work of the Aleem Dar Foundation.
During the visit, the delegation met LCCI President Faheem ur Rehman Saigol. The meeting was also attended by Senior Vice President Tanveer Ahmad Sheikh, Vice President Khurram Lodhi, and Executive Committee members Rana Shouban Akhtar, Rana Nisar, Aamir Saeed Mian, and Syed Hassan Raza.
The purpose of the visit was to brief LCCI leadership on the foundation’s ongoing efforts to support children suffering from thalassemia, a serious inherited blood disorder affecting thousands of families across Pakistan. The Aleem Dar Foundation provides free medical treatment, healthcare support, and awareness services to affected children, while advocating preventive strategies to curb the disease.
Participants were informed about the foundation’s key initiatives, including the construction of a dedicated thalassemia hospital aimed at delivering advanced medical care to patients. Emphasis was placed on preventive measures, particularly premarital screening, as a sustainable solution to reducing new cases. The speakers welcomed the recent passage of the Thalassemia Bill by the Punjab Assembly, describing it as a crucial step toward disease prevention.
Addressing the gathering, Aleem Dar said thalassemia is a preventable disease if timely awareness and screening are ensured. “Through education, early diagnosis, and proper treatment, we can give affected children a chance at a healthier life. Our mission is to support these families and lessen the social and economic burden of this disease,” he said.
Iftikhar Thakur stressed the importance of community engagement, saying that public awareness and advocacy for mandatory screening could help prevent countless new cases. He described the work of the Aleem Dar Foundation as a strong example of social responsibility and compassion in action.
LCCI President Faheem ur Rehman Saigol praised the foundation’s efforts, stating that combating thalassemia requires both medical intervention and preventive policies. “With thousands of children across Pakistan living with thalassemia, initiatives like this are essential. The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry fully supports this noble cause and stands ready to assist the foundation in its mission to save lives and improve public health,” he said.
The meeting underscored the importance of collaboration between civil society, healthcare organizations, and the business community in addressing public health challenges. By combining treatment, awareness, and prevention, the Aleem Dar Foundation aims to reduce the prevalence of thalassemia and improve the quality of life for affected families across Pakistan.