The Indonesian Embassy in Islamabad in collaboration with the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) organised a blood donation camp on Sunday. The event was part of activities being organised by the embassy in celebration of the 73rd independence anniversary of Indonesia. Foreign Affairs Ministry Director General Samina Mahtab was the chief guest on the occasion. Saudi Arabian Ambassador Nawaf Bin Saeed Ahmed al Maliki, Netherlands Ambassador Ardi Stoios-Braken, Malaysian High Commissioner Ikram Muhammad Ibrahim, Philippines Ambassador Daniel R Espiritu and Jordan Embassy Charge d’ Affaires Dr Maen Khareasat were among the diplomats who attended the blood donation camp. Speaking on the occasion, Indonesian Ambassador Iwan S Amri said that the blood donation camp was aimed at encouraging people to volunteer blood donation and to recognise and support the noble cause of the organisations such as the PRCS that are serving humanity by providing timely and safe blood transfusion to deserving patients. The Indonesian envoy expressed his gratitude to Foreign Affairs Ministry DG Samina Mahtab for her gracious presence and being a support to the cause. He cheerfully shared with the audience that it is for the third consecutive year that the embassy was successfully organising a blood donation drive in collaboration with PRCS. He said that “we all were here to propagate the message of benevolence and care to our fellow human beings and voluntarily share something with them that may be indispensable in saving their life”. He expressed his respect and congratulated all the donors for being part of the drive and inspiration for others to join hands and support the cause. Samina Mahtab who participated along with her family, expressed her appreciation to the ambassador for having an initiative like blood donation camp and said that saving one life was equal to saving the whole mankind and such events raise awareness of the need for regular blood donations to ensure quality, safety and availability of blood and blood related products for patients in need. Rotary Diplomatic Mission Chairperson Rizwan Ahmed shared his thoughts and shed light on the Memorandum of Understanding that the embassy and Rotary Lahore City signed to work together for creating awareness about blood donation. PRCS Programme Officer Dr Wasifa Mutassim shared statistics of blood donation in Pakistan and the rising demand of the donated blood and blood-related products. She admired the Indonesian ambassador for annually hosting the event for the last three years and motivating people to contribute to the society and help fellow beings. Donors in high numbers participated in the camp and appreciated the embassy for promoting friendship between Indonesia and Pakistan while serving a noble cause. Published in Daily Times, September 17th 2018.