Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM) and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a centralized kitchen capable of preparing up to 15,000 hygienic meals daily for underprivileged communities across Pakistan.
The agreement was signed at the Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal headquarters in the presence of Trkiye’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Irfan Neziroglu today. The memorandum was signed by PBM Managing Director Senator Captain Shaheen Khalid Butt and TIKA Country Head Saliha Tuna. TIKA Deputy Coordinator Ismail Nazliay, Technical Program Officer Waqas Bashir and senior PBM officials also attended the ceremony.
Under the initiative, the fully automated kitchen will prepare meals for disadvantaged people, with food to be distributed through Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal’s mobile vans and shelter homes. The project is aimed at strengthening social protection efforts and improving food assistance for vulnerable segments of society.
Addressing the ceremony, Ambassador Irfan Neziroglu said the longstanding relationship between Pakistan and Trkiye was built on brotherhood and mutual support, particularly during difficult times. He praised TIKA’s humanitarian work in Pakistan over the past 16 years and commended Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal’s welfare initiatives, while reaffirming Trkiye’s commitment to continued cooperation.
PBM Managing Director Senator Captain Shaheen Khalid Butt thanked the Turkish ambassador for his support and described the relationship between the two countries as one founded on sincerity, affection and enduring brotherhood. He also expressed appreciation to TIKA’s management for extending generous assistance to Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal in implementing a range of welfare programmes for low-income communities.
TIKA Country Head Saliha Tuna said the centralized kitchen would play a significant role in delivering nutritious, high-quality meals to thousands of people in need and expressed confidence that the initiative would have a meaningful social impact.
Both organizations said they were committed to expanding their collaboration in the future, expressing optimism that the partnership would further strengthen welfare programmes and improve support for Pakistan’s most vulnerable communities.