The Pakistan Association's Ladies Wing is holding a ladies mushaira (poetry recitation) today at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry auditorium.

Naheed Nafees, general secretary of the association, said: "The main objective of holding this first-ever ladies only mushaira is to raise funds for The Citizens Foundation in Pakistan to construct a school for poor children."

The Ladies Wing has been arranging a series of programmes to achieve its target of raising Dh200,000 required to build a primary school.

"We held a charity bazaar at the Pakistan Sports and Recreation Centre in Dubai. All our women members participated enthusiastically and managed to raise a good amount for the noble cause."

Renowned Pakistani poetesses including Sarwat Mohiuddeen, Yasmeen Hamid, Fahmida Riaz, Kishwar Naheed and Zehra Nigah will recite their poetry. Other participants are: Hina Sami from Dubai, Farzana Sahab Mirza from Sharjah and Tasneem Abidi, Sabiha Sabah and Sadia Roshan Siddiqi from Abu Dhabi.

Although only ladies are taking part, both men and women can attend. The function will start at 9 pm.

Members of the Ladies Wing are also selling greeting cards of The Citizens' Foundation (TCF) to raise funds. The TCF is a non-profit organisation committed to provide free education to children in the slums of Pakistan.