ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Foreign Office Women’s Association (PFOWA) hosted the 2014 Annual Charity Bazaar in collaboration with the Diplomatic Corps at the Serena Hotel. The jampacked event was crowded from the start to finish as diplomats and families thronged the venue.

The Charity Bazaar opened with a cultural mosaic followed by a fashion show and musical performance. Various embassies and a few other organisations had set up stalls with information and in most cases products for sale.

The stall area resembled a Model United Nations with each stallholder sharing details of crafts and country in as colourful a way as possible.

Sarah Anjum, a lawyer who had brought her daughter to the bazaar, said: “Vibrant and colourful even if a little overcrowded, the fair was delightfully multicultural and therefore spectacular. I will surely be visiting next year.”

Michèle Louise Galopin said: “I visited the stalls in the morning before the crowd and found this year’s setup really good with the market style layout for the arts and crafts on the lawn of the Serena Business Centre and the food stalls on its terrace. The cultural shows were entertaining and very touching when children were part of them.”

The LABELS team presented Brand Pakistan – a designer capsule collection – at the Bazaar.

Zahir Rahimtoola, CEO of LABELS, said: “We at LABELS were honoured to be invited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to participate in the PFOWA Charity Event. As we have recently opened we wanted to give our fashion event a flavour of Islamabad by using only resources from Islamabad.”

Zahir also acknowledged the organisers and added: “I must thank the driving force, Jauhar Saleem, additional foreign secretary, who was a great support in encouraging young talent from Islamabad that includes the models too.”

Manizeh Bano, who visited the fair at its peak, said: “We enjoyed the music show. The food stalls could have been better organised. The food was cold but full of flavour. On the whole though it was a good show.”

The most crowded section of the bazaar was, however, the food court where representatives of many different countries were selling traditional foods. Azmeh Ansari said: “Great day out and a wonderful opportunity to sample different cuisines.”

Sindhu Reji, an Indian and an organiser, said: “Our stalls have had a very good response. The Indian saris and razais have sold well and the food has also.”

Nurneela Wati of the Embassy of Brunei, who was participating in the bazaar for the second time, said: “It is really interesting. This is the time we gather around with other diplomats and Pakistanis and we learn more about their cultures and cuisines.”

The variety of food was incredible from kimchi and momos to satay and dolmas. The more recognisable spring rolls and rice dishes and croissants and biscuits also abounded.

Abida Samad said: “It was very good – the best mela I have ever attended. The variety of food was great.”

The best part of the event of course was that the proceeds go to support the PFOWA’s charitable work.

President of the Asian Study Group Parveen Malik said: “This was an inspirational effort to raise funds for charity by PFOWA and all associated with the spectacular event.”

Published in Dawn, December 8th, 2014