"It is by God's grace that we are donors, not recipients. The sincerest form of gratitude is providing meaningful help to those weaker than ourselves."

These are the sentiments of Nuzhat Niaz, wife of the ambassador of Pakistan to Japan. This year Niaz has assumed chairmanship of the Asia-Pacific Festival and Charity Bazaar, a fun-filled, springtime event designed as a major fundraiser by the Asia-Pacific Ladies Friendship Society. Niaz explains that from its emergency relief fund ALFS made special donations at the time to the victims of the Niigata earthquake and of floods in Sri Lanka, the Philippines and South Korea, as well as to those who suffered from last December's tsunamis. Recently the magnitude and frequency of natural disasters prompted her in her leadership capacity to say, "We must make extra efforts to raise funds for welfare and disaster relief in Asian and Pacific countries."

Accomplished and capable, Niaz is a modern daughter of a very old land, one of the earliest known. Pakistan ranges from the highest mountains, wildest waterways and deepest valleys of the dramatic north through the plains of the Indus Valley, where ancient, highly ordered civilizations flourished, to the Arabian Sea in the south. History left enduring impressions on Pakistan's faith, culture and languages. As well as her national Urdu and official English, Niaz speaks French and Turkish. She holds a master's degree in French.

Reminiscing, she said: "I would have liked to become a scholar of comparative literature, a writer or interpreter. Reading was always my greatest pleasure. I was also very fond of drama, debates, general knowledge quizzes and essay writing." In 1971 she won a gold medal for emerging as the most talented student in Pakistan.

Born in Karachi, Niaz lived also in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. In foreign postings with her husband, she experienced life in Europe and the U.S. as well as in other Asian countries. In Japan for two years now, she acclaims Tokyo as "comfortable, safe, clean and interesting." She gives a long list of aspects of Japan that she particularly enjoys, beginning with the people, the countryside, the arts and crafts, and ending with "just about everything one can think of -- and I've only just scratched the surface."

Niaz said: "For the past 31 years both at home and abroad, I have worked with ladies' social and charitable associations. I began with the Pakistan Foreign Office Wives' Association, a registered charity that gives widows, orphans and other needy people medical, financial and educational assistance. I therefore feel a natural affinity toward ALFS and respect for its leadership, aims and endeavors. I consider it a great honor for me personally and for my country to have been asked to be chairperson of the bazaar this year."

ALFS was founded in 1968 by Mutsuko Miki, widow of former Prime Minister Takeo Miki. She worked as the society's president until this year. The society aims at the strengthening of understanding and friendship among the women of the Asia-Pacific region. Today ALFS counts 24 member countries and a general membership approaching 300. It maintains a welfare fund for regular donations to institutions in each member country, and an emergency relief fund earmarked for natural disaster victims. To support its funds, it has a range of activities and events, of which the annual festival and charity bazaar is the most important.

Niaz said: "ALFS members are truly grateful for the gracious patronage of Princess Hitachi. We are also beholden to Mme. Miki, who is now honorary president." In Mme. Miki's honor, and to introduce her successor, Niaz is helping the preparations for a gala luncheon in June.

On April 26, ALFS will transform ANA Hotel's Prominence and Galaxy rooms into an Asia-Pacific marketplace, with ethnic colors, fragrances and the excitement of eager people. Stall holders will offer handicrafts, accessories and jewelries, regional foods and homemade bakery goods. Member countries present shows of their traditional music and dances. This year Niaz set the tone for door prizes by having the Pakistani Embassy donate a hand-woven carpet. Other embassies and Japanese companies added their donations, and Mme, Miki, an acclaimed potter, presented one of her own creations. An impressive list of raffle prizes, headed by flight tickets donated by 14 airlines, continues with nearly 200 covetable items.