Cecil & Iris Chaudhry Foundation

07/11/2026

We at The Cecil & Iris Chaudhry Foundation (CICF) wish our Hindu friends around the world a very Happy Diwali!

May the festival of lights be the harbinger of peace, love and tolerance to the world!

28/10/2026

With the passing of Sister Pilar Vila-San Juan Sagnier, RJM, Principal of The Convent of Jesus and Mary (CJM) Lahore, we at The Cecil & Iris Chaudhry Foundation (CICF) have lost one of our most beloved benefactors.
Her generosity, kindness, and unwavering support were a constant source of strength and encouragement for our organization.

Sister Pilar and her team at CJM wholeheartedly supported every disaster management initiative undertaken by The CICF.
Whether reaching out to the famine-stricken in Tharparkar Sindh, earthquake survivors in Shangla Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, flood victims in Punjab, or the distraught families in Jaranwala affected by religious violence, Sister Pilar and the Convents of Jesus & Mary across Pakistan consistently stepped forward to strengthen our work. For which, we remain forever grateful.

Sister Pilar’s contribution was more than material assistance; it was a source of hope, love, and encouragement. Although she may no longer be with us, her legacy remains strong. The lessons she taught, the faith she embodied, and the love she shared will continue to guide us for many years to come. Her influence will live on in the thousands of hearts and lives she nurtured.

The management and staff of The Cecil & Iris Chaudhry Foundation extend our heartfelt condolences to the RJM Community and the entire CJM Lahore family. May they be blessed with strength and comfort during this difficult time.

Dear Sister Pilar, your life was a blessing, and your memory will be an everlasting source of inspiration.

"Well done, good and faithful servant." - Matthew 25:23

May God grant Sister Pilar eternal rest. Amen.

11/09/2026

Remembering Mohammad Ali Jinnah – The Founder of Pakistan

He died on 11th September, 1948. Just one year after the creation of Pakistan.

"Mr Jinnah was great as a lawyer, once great as a Congressman, great as a leader of Muslims, great as a world politician and diplomat, and greatest of all as a man of action, By Mr. Jinnah's passing away, the world has lost one of the greatest statesmen and Pakistan its life-giver, philosopher and guide" Surat Chandra Bose, leader of Indian National Congress, said on Jinnah's death.

“Gandhi died by the hands of an assassin; Jinnah died by his devotion to Pakistan” Lord Pethick Lawrence

Today 78 years later our struggle for “Jinnah’s Pakistan” continues; where every citizen would enjoy equal rights and complete religious freedom in the State of Pakistan

19/08/2026

“This verdict has left us very disappointed and concerned, because no one is being held accountable for this brutal murder that took place in 2014. It has taken the lives of two innocent people but it also shattered the lives of their children forever.” Michelle Chaudhry President The Cecil & Iris Chaudhry Foundation (CICF)

Twelve years after Christian couple Shama and Shahzad Masih were thrown into a fiery pit and burnt alive by a mob in Kot Radha Kishan, Kasur, the Supreme Court has released its final written order …

14/08/2026

14th August 2026 – Seventy Nine Years of Pakistan!

Pakistan Mubarak!

As we celebrate 79 years of Pakistan’s existence; it cannot be emphasized enough that we as Pakistanis need to reflect upon the vision behind the creation of Pakistan.

14th August is a reminder of resilience, hope, and the promise that this country was created to respect human dignity, religious freedom, equality of minorities’ rights, sovereignty of parliament and an independent judiciary.

We need to reflect on Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s vision of equality, religious freedom, respect for human dignity and tolerance; and as we celebrate this day it is also a moment of accountability, to ask how far does Pakistan still have to go to truly live up to the ideals of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and pledge to make every effort to create the Pakistan that Jinnah envisioned.

The Cecil & Iris Chaudhry Foundation (CICF) carries forward the legacies of two exceptionally great human beings Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry and Mrs Iris Chaudhry, who envisioned a Pakistan which respected human dignity, religious freedom and equality of minorities’ rights - Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s Pakistan.

It is with this vision that we at The CICF pledge to continue to strive, despite all adversities to promote a Just, Equitable and Pluralistic Pakistan!

Happy 79th Pakistan – Tum Ho Tu Hum Hien
Pakistan Zindabad!

Media Cell
The Cecil & Iris Chaudhry Foundation (CICF)
Lahore – Pakistan
Email: [email protected]

10/08/2026

11th August National Minority Day

It was on this day 79 years ago that the Founding father of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah gave to the non-Muslims of the Sub-Continent, vision and hope, by assuring them that all religious minorities would enjoy equal rights and complete religious freedom in the State of Pakistan.

This was emphasized by him in his historic address to the Legislative Assembly on 11th August 1947; “You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the State.”

We cannot observe 11th August without paying tribute to one of the greatest exponents of Human Rights in Pakistan, Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry.
Whose unfaltering belief in Jinnah’s Pakistan compelled him to strive to bring to light Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s historic speech of 11th August 1947 from the annals of history.
It may be noted here that this speech of the Quaid’s was declared controversial by the succeeding Governments and was removed from all official documents of Pakistan.
It is therefore due to the tireless efforts of Cecil Chaudhry that today this most significant speech is known to the public.

It was then on the behest of the then Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs Shaheed Shahbaz Bhatti that in 2009 the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Government declared August 11th, as the day to commemorate the Quaid’s historic address and reinforce the role of religious minorities in the creation, defense, welfare and development of Pakistan.

Unfortunately in today’s Pakistan we need days to be allocated to us to highlight our contributions to our motherland; to remind the world that we as Pakistanis never have and never will hesitate from giving our all for the betterment of Pakistan.

Our struggle continues for Jinnah’s Pakistan, where Equality, Religious Freedom, Rule of Law, Sovereignty of Parliament and an Independent Judiciary prevails.

Jinnah Ka Pakistan - Hum Sub Ka Pakistan!

Media Cell
The Cecil & Iris Chaudhry Foundation (CICF)
Lahore Pakistan
Email: [email protected]

26/05/2026

Eid Mubarak!

We at The Cecil & Iris Chaudhry Foundation (CICF) wish our Muslim friends around the world a happy and peaceful Eid!

May God Almighty accept your sacrifices, devotion, and good deeds, and shower your home with endless joy, peace, and prosperity.

Wishing Everyone A Blessed Eid

29/04/2026

The Cecil & Iris Chaudhry Foundation (CICF) welcomes the passing of the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2026 by the Punjab Assembly.
This essential legislation sets the minimum age for marriage at 18 years for both girls and boys and declares underage marriage a non-bailable offense.

In welcoming this decision Ms Michelle Chaudhry President of The CICF stated "this is certainly a step in the right direction, we at The CICF have long advocated for this reform. However, the real work begins now, we must focus on effective implementation and mass awareness to ensure the safety and protection that every child deserves."

Media Cell
The Cecil & Iris Chaudhry Foundation(CICF)
Lahore - Pakistan
Email: [email protected]

Bill passed with majority vote but after heated debate as lawmakers were not initially provided copies of the legislation.

13/04/2026

13th April 2012 – 14 Years Today

The CICF Remembers Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry

"It is not important for the world to know that we feel a loss;
But it is important for posterity to know the greatness of him who makes us grieve...."

Lahore: Today on his fourteenth death anniversary we hold Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry in our prayers, hearts and thoughts.
Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry was a man who devoted his entire life to not only protecting the geographical…..but also the ideological boundaries of Pakistan.

Whether it was achieving the highest level of professionalism in the Pakistan Air Force, or grooming the leaders of tomorrow by providing quality education to Pakistani Children or then standing up to protect the civil rights and dignity of simple ordinary people by promoting interfaith harmony, which has today become one of the core issues confronting our society……..Cecil Chaudhry gave it his all……and excelled.

Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry was a brave, courageous and an illustrious man. He was bestowed with numerous honors, from Gallantry Awards to equally high peace time citations.

During his 28 years’ service to the Pakistan Air Force, he achieved the highest level of professionalism. He fought the Indo-Pak wars of 1965 and 1971 with great valor; for which he was awarded by the President of Pakistan the Sitara-e-Jurat (Star of Courage) one of the highest military awards of Pakistan and the Sitara-e-Basalat (Star of Good Conduct) for distinguished acts of gallantry, valor or courage while performing duty.

He went on to become one of the greatest exponents of Human Rights in Pakistan. He fought non-violently for the rights of the downtrodden, especially the religious minorities, with bravery and determination to bring about change for the better.
Cecil Chaudhry, supported by his wife, Iris Chaudhry, envisioned a Pakistan beyond social discrimination, religious extremism and rights violating human dignity.
He tirelessly worked for a just, tolerant and equitable Pakistan – Jinnah’s Pakistan.

In the field of education, his services were second to none. Despite numerous lucrative offers by various organizations and governments, Cecil Chaudhry chose to educate Pakistani children; to groom the leaders of tomorrow. He was a beacon of light and inspiration for thousands of Pakistanis.

Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry passed away on April 13, 2012; till the last days of his life he fought for the rights of the downtrodden and marginalized communities in Pakistan.

In 2014 Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry was posthumously awarded by the President of Pakistan, one of the country’s highest Presidential Awards - The President’s Award for Pride of Performance for his outstanding services in the fields of education and human rights; making him one of the few people in Pakistan to be awarded with both, the country’s highest Gallantry awards and highest Civil awards.

In November 2014 the then Chief Minister Punjab Mian Mohammad Shahbaz Sharif, in his honor renamed a portion of Lawrence Road Lahore to “Cecil Chaudhry Road”.

On 7th September 2016 the Pakistan Air Force and the Cantonment Board Sargodha honored Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry by building a roundabout on University Road Sargodha in his name.
“Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry Roundabout” was inaugurated by Air Vice Marshal Aamir Masood, Base Commander, PAF Base Mushaf.

In January 2025 the State of the Art “Cecil Chaudhry Complex” was established at The PAF Hospital in Islamabad.

Cecil Chaudhry was certainly one of Pakistan's most loved National Heroes.

We at The Cecil & Iris Chaudhry Foundation (CICF) strife with absolute commitment and determination to keep Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry’s legacy alive as we endeavor to carry forward his vision and ideology.

“What lay behind him and what lay before him,
Are tiny matters compared to what lay within him”

May his soul rest in eternal peace – Amen

Media Cell
The Cecil & Iris Chaudhry Foundation (CICF)
Lahore – Pakistan
Email: [email protected]

04/04/2026

"He is Risen..." Alleluia!

The Management and Staff of The Cecil & Iris Chaudhry Foundation (CICF) wish you and your loved ones a very happy and blessed Easter!

May the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ bring peace and harmony to our troubled world and may this Easter be a call to rebuild what has been torn down, to comfort those who grieve, and to choose compassion over hatred.

Easter Blessings to Everyone!