A leading fertilizer company has been actively engaged in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives in the sectors of education, healthcare, community building, sports development and relief activities, and contributed a total amount of over Rs 1.5 billion on such activities. Industry sources told Business Recorder here on Tuesday that one of the prominent contributors towards CSR is Fauji Fertilizer Company (FFC) the endeavors of FFC can be seen as a light towards nation building for others to follow. FFC is one of the companies see CSR as an opportunity to strengthen the business and a contribution towards society in many ways.
In health sector, FFC has partnered with various institutions to facilitate the underprivileged society in having access to healthcare facilities. Company contributing through many programs including self-run/supported health facilities, medical camps, constructed and supported medical facilities, donations etc. Almost 100,000 people have benefited from FFC's health initiatives every year.
During 2018, FFC contributed Rs 8 million to Hazrat Bilal Trust Hospital at Goth Machhi plant and also deputed a female doctor for female patients. Company also contributed Rs 16 million to Sona Welfare Hospital at Mirpur Mathelo plant helping in provision of good healthcare facilities and treatment to 35,000 patients of the surrounding areas. To help hospitals, it donated an ambulance and Rs 2.85 million to various hospitals for construction/upgrading and purchase of medical equipment. The company also supports Shaukat Khanam cancer hospital Peshawar by providing financial assistance for different departments.
Realizing the importance of education, the company is supporting through different programmes including self-administered school and colleges, assistance and adoption of Govt institutes, scholarships and collaboration with academia. During 2016-17, it contributed Rs 8.1 million under its adopted schools programme which included annual scholarships, distribution of books and stationery besides improvement in infrastructure and payment of salaries of government schools. It also provided financial support and reconstructed flood affected school at Tanda Ghambir. It donated Rs 2.39 million to Special Education Academy for provision of education and support equipment. Successfully managed 67 new scholarships under the award of farmer scholarships and increasing total scholarships to 164. FFC sponsored 250 students for Microsoft Office championship.
Almost 16000 students of under privileged areas are taking benefits from FFC's education related initiatives. FFC has also made donations for various sports activities and sponsored sports events. Some of the notable events were Asian Kabaddi Championship, Tour de Pakistan Cycle Race, IC Columbus Cup Delhi and Deaf Cricket Championship 2016.
The Company collaborated with Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund and National Rural Support Program to extend support to cotton farmers in shape of loans. During the year, loan to 300 cotton farmers were provided. FFC contributed in the development of tourism in terrorism hit areas like Swat and sponsored the Swat Festival to encourage tourism and build the country's soft image.
While discussing the efforts to empower the society, head of CSR FFC, Brigadier Abid Mahmud said that work of FFC in local communities contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals of No Poverty, Zero hunger, Good Health , Well-being and Quality Education. We do not consider it as charity but a shared responsibility in the positive development of the nation.
He added that their rural development programmes are focused to solve the severe problems faced by communities, create opportunities to overcome poverty and make contributions towards the economic development of our country. Responding to the clean drinking water problem faced by the community, we installed water pumping stations, transformers and laid underground pipeline at Jhimpir, Abid Mahmud added.
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