Huma Haji Zakir Pardesi Leads Inclusive Initiative at Shaan Pakistan’s Lamiyati Sehar Night

By: Aziz Khatri

 Karachi: Shaan Pakistan hosted its annual Lamiyati Sehar Night in Karachi on March 6, bringing together prominent personalities from business, arts and civil society to promote inclusion and highlight initiatives supporting visually impaired students.

The event, organized by Shaan Pakistan founder Huma Haji Zakir Pardesi, attracted a large gathering of distinguished guests including Jimmy Engineer, Ishtiaq Baig, Akhtyar Baig, Ahmed Chinoy, Nadia Hussain, Seemi Pasha and Shahnaz Ramzi among others.

The evening began with a red carpet reception followed by a Lamiyati segment that created a reflective and spiritual atmosphere for the guests.

Delivering the welcome address, Shahnaz Ramzi highlighted the initiatives of Shaan Pakistan, particularly the work of the SEP Academy for the Visually Impaired, which recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ida Rieu Welfare Association. She said the event aimed to celebrate inclusion by showcasing the extraordinary talents of visually impaired students and promoting their participation in creative fields.

Ramzi also announced an upcoming fashion event scheduled for May 9 where visually impaired students will take part in a creative showcase for the first time. According to organizers, the initiative will provide these students with an opportunity to perform live on stage, demonstrating talents such as singing and modeling while encouraging broader social acceptance.

The evening also featured musical performances and interactive sessions among guests, followed by a traditional Sehri gathering that continued into the early hours of the morning.

In her closing remarks, Huma Haji Zakir Pardesi thanked the guests for their participation and reaffirmed her commitment to empowering visually impaired students through education, skill development and public engagement.

She noted that the SEP Academy has already launched music training classes for blind students and that the upcoming fashion showcase will represent the next phase of the initiative aimed at promoting talent and inclusion in society.

Organizers said the program reflects a broader vision of moving beyond traditional charity models towards empowerment, visibility and meaningful social integration for people with disabilities.