Islamabad :– Chairman Senate Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Observed that serving humanity strengthens the bond of compassion and empathy in society and helps create a better future for all. He delivered a keynote address as the chief guest at Rotary International District Conference 2025. The Chairman Senate paid tribute to the humanitarian role of Rotary International across Pakistan and the world.
Chairman Senate welcomed Mr. Rizwan Adhia, District Governor of Rotary International, esteemed ambassadors, distinguished guests, respected Rotary members, and other honorable attendees. He said, “It is a great honor for me to be present among you this evening at the Rotary International District Conference 2025. As we gather here we are not merely celebrating an organization we are honoring a century-long legacy of revolutionary service. We are recognizing those individuals who embody Rotary’s eternal motto of ‘Service Above Self,’ and we are paying rich tribute to a remarkable heritage that champions service, peace, health, harmony, and the promotion of humanity.”
He further stated that from the densely populated cities of Pakistan to the remote villages of Africa, Rotary International has woven a magnificent network of compassion and humanity. However, Rotary’s greatest success does not lie in its 1.5 million members, but in its unwavering commitment to turning the dream of a better world into reality. Rotary’s efforts are strengthening the national development process by building resilient and empowered communities. Rotary’s mission deeply aligns with Pakistan’s national vision of sustainable development and inclusive prosperity. Your services are visibly prominent in our national journey through various sectors, such as the eradication of polio a battle in which we are now close to victory. Let us pledge tonight that we will not rest until Pakistan is completely polio-free.
Smart Villages, where solar energy lights up dreams, clean water nurtures life, and healthcare reaches remote settlements are a testament to this vision. With 64% of Pakistan’s population under the age of 30, Rotary’s leadership programs are creating leaders and innovators, not mere spectators. Moreover, admirable initiatives such as partnering with Ziauddin Hospital to provide heart surgeries for deserving children deserve our full support and appreciation.
Chairman Senate Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said, “I belong to South Punjab and have witnessed the deep wounds of inequality up close the child deprived of education, the mother without access to healthcare, the farmer struggling against famine, and the villages still awaiting basic amenities. These are not just statistics; these are our own people.
Further in his address, the Chairman Senate said, that “during my tenure as Prime Minister, uplifting underdeveloped regions and marginalized segments, particularly empowering women, remained my top priority. I take pride in launching the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), which is globally recognized. This program has become a beacon of hope for millions of families, serving as a tool for poverty alleviation, improving the living standards of the deprived and financially empowering women. I see a tremendous opportunity in potential collaboration between Rotary and BISP to further empower communities, strengthen public welfare, and promote sustainable development at the grassroots level. Together, we can establish a legacy that will enrich generations.”
He pledged to support to further expanding Rotary’s services whether in eradicating polio, promoting education, or advancing clean energy. Through legislation and policymaking, we will prioritize every effort that ensures inclusive development, women’s empowerment, digital innovation, and environmental protection he observed. Social development is our collective responsibility he remarked while concluding his speech.