By Zahid Karani
KARACHI: Rotary International District 3271 has launched its 2026–27 Rotary year with the installation of Shahzad Sabir as District Governor during a ceremony at the PC Hotel in Karachi, attended by more than 1,000 Rotarians, diplomats, business leaders, development professionals and community representatives from Pakistan and abroad.
The event also marked the unveiling of Rotary District 3271’s flagship community initiatives for the coming year. These include the Million Trees Project to support environmental sustainability, an expanded District Medical Outreach Programme, intensified polio immunisation campaigns, Pink Washrooms to improve menstrual hygiene and sanitation, hearing aid initiatives for people with hearing impairment, expanded breast cancer awareness programmes, and the continued development of Rotary Pakistan Smart Villages to improve education, healthcare, livelihoods, digital access and environmental sustainability.
A key highlight of the ceremony was the launch of the commemorative book, “100 Years of Rotary Service in Pakistan,” chronicling a century of Rotary’s humanitarian work and community service across the country. The publication was unveiled by Syed Kashif Rafi, who led its compilation and editorial development, alongside senior Rotary leaders including Muhammad Faiz Kidwai, M. Iqbal Qureshi, Aziz Memon, Shakeel Kaim Khani and newly installed District Governor Shahzad Sabir. A special hardbound edition of the book was presented to Jennifer A. Scott, Rotary International Director for 2025–27, in recognition of the organisation’s centenary of service in Pakistan.
The ceremony also saw the launch of Rotary District 3271’s official website and mobile application, aimed at strengthening digital communication, governance, volunteer engagement and project reporting across the district.
Jennifer A. Scott attended the event as chief guest, while other senior Rotary leaders from Pakistan and overseas also participated. Earlier in the day, assistant governors, club presidents, secretaries and district chairs for the new Rotary year were formally installed.
The newly announced district leadership team includes District Governor Elect Ch. Fahad Sikandar, District Governor Nominee Abdul Jabbar Sheikh, District Secretary Arif Siddiqui, District Treasurer Ravi Kumar, District Learning Facilitator Anila Chaudhary, Conference Chair Shahid Ismail, Deputy Governors Pervez Madraswalla, Shoaib Ismail and Imdad Ali Bughio, Additional District Secretary Asif Mukaty, District Joint Secretary Shafqat Ali, District Sergeant-at-Arms Capt. (R) Sajid Mehmood, and aides to the District Governor Durdaana Arshad, Muhammad Arshad, Jamil Ahmed Khan and Safdar Hussain Arain.
The District Governor will also be supported by an advisory council comprising Muhammad Hanif Khan, Syed Kashif Rafi, Waqar Ahmed Shaikh, Atiqua Vally and Mirza Abbas.
In his inaugural address, Shahzad Sabir reaffirmed Rotary District 3271’s commitment to expanding sustainable community service through stronger partnerships, volunteer leadership, youth engagement and innovative projects addressing health, education, environmental protection and social development across Sindh and Balochistan.
With more than 1.4 million members worldwide, Rotary International remains one of the world’s largest humanitarian service organisations. District 3271 serves communities across Sindh and Balochistan through programmes focused on education, healthcare, economic development, environmental conservation, peacebuilding and the global campaign to eradicate polio.
