Pakistani-American Forum/Merit Grants for Young Women (MGYW) recently held a successful annual luncheon banquet in a local hotel. The program was emceed by Tasneem Afzal and Dr. Sana Kamdar. Young Adam Jandga opened the program with Qirat. The program included overview of MGYW’s almost one dozen projects throughout Pakistan presented by Dr. Farhana Mohamed. Continuing with the tradition, this year MGYW presented empowerment awards for Outstanding Creativity to Film Maker Iram Parveen Bilal and Director/Writer Lena Khan. There was also Video presentation of their accomplishments The inspirational keynote address at the banquet was delivered by Dr. Sana U. Khan, followed by impressive speeches by Consul General Dr. Abdul Jabbar Memon. Artesia City Mayor Ali Sajjad Taj.

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Since 2000, MGYW has been successfully providing sustained educational opportunities to thousands of young women belonging to impoverished families in urban and rural areas of Pakistan. MGYW works with several reputable non-profit schools & local activists with an impressive network of about 24,000 students. It also invests in schools’ infrastructure projects & supports operational needs. So far MGYW has supported education directly or indirectly of over 10,000 girls – many girls have graduated & are now gainfully employed as well as positively influencing their families. MGYW has been commended repeatedly for “its exemplary work in the field of female education and social uplifting in Pakistan”. The program included enchanting musical performance by Abdul Bihar Afghani. Raffle prizes were also distributed. The Board Members that made the program a huge success included Tasneem Afzal , Abida Ahmed, Bilquis Haider, Dr. Bina Kamdar, Dr. Farhana Mohamed and Zeenat Jandga. Dr. Aysha Jabbar (Atlanta) and Zille Huma Zaman (Dallas) also provided support. Young volunteers included Alina Ahmed, Ambreen Mohamed, Osman Mohamed, and Sana Kamdar.