Fifth international summit on CSR: former minister highlights role of corporate sector in economy

Former federal information minister Javed Jabbar has said that corporate organisations have started contribution in social development which is a good omen but they need to do more in this regard. This he said while addressing at the 5th international summit on CSR 2013 organised by National Forum for Environment (NFEH) with the support of United Nations Environment Programme, Karachi chamber of commerce, Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan, at a local hotel.
Javed Jabbar said that corporate sector gives lot of jobs and also spending on education, health and training of people. CSR should be linked to corporate fiscal responsibility and organisations should file their tax returns, he said. FPCCI and other big organisations should make a statement that how much money corporate sector is contributing in social development.
A low amount of money is being spent on social science research, which should be raised, he stressed. Jabbar said that Zulfikarabad project has been launched without conducting basic environment assessment. We pointed out authorities but they did not respond positively, he added. "FBR has declared that 300 textile mills are not paying tax returns in due manner. Organisations must pay tax returns so as to ensure their contribution in social sector development, Javed Jabbar concluded.
Muhammad Haroon Agar, President KCCI, said several organisations are providing food and other social services to people in Karachi. He said that Pakistan bureaucracy do not want our economy to grow. He said CSR can be simply defined as achieving commercial success in ways that honour ethical values and respect people, communities, and the natural environment.
It is satisfying to note that over the years, in Pakistan, the corporate sector has focused on responsible business practices highlighting sustainability, social and environmental issues. The companies have started believing in the welfare of not only its employees but its activities that have been directed towards safety, environment, education and social welfare and other issues, directly or indirectly having impact on the communities and environment.
Ateequr Rehman, KCCI executive committee member, said most of the hospitals let heart and other serious patients to die due to having no money for costly medical tests and treatment, which is matter of great concern, therefore, corporate sector, including hospitals, should adopt sympathetic attitude and provide free treatment to such patients and save their live as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Dr A Bari said that Indus Hospital is an innovative healthcare organisation in the country which provides treatment to those serious patients who do not have money and do not let them to die. "Other hospitals should also need to feel their social responsibility and save human lives. Dr Kaiser Waheed said that 80 percent of companies have started CSR service. He said that local corporations are paying more attention on CSR, however, there is need to raise awareness about social responsibility.
Aman-ul-Haq, Manager CSR, Engro Corporation, said that agriculture is the mainstay of Pakistan and Ghotki is one of largest economic contributing districts. This district has also created lot of jobs. He stressed that need to support farming community rural areas for raising milk production.
He said that the farming community has started producing more milk after companies started purchasing milk from them at lucrative rates. This has helped them to raise their earnings and generate livelihood with respect. He said that we have trained 20,000 women in Sindh for being self-relaint in economy. He also stressed the need to train farmers for raising agriculture and dairy productions. There is also need to conduct research on seeds for achieving more crop production.
Earlier, in his address, NFEH Chairman Naeem Qureshi welcomed the distinguished guests for participating in the program and urged the need to boost social responsibility in the organisations.
He appreciated the corporate organisations' role in the social development and hoped that they would do more as part of CSR. Two penal discussions were also held on CSR importance in which cross questions were raised about the problems being faced in this regard. The experts in penal discussions stressed the need to raise the CSR contribution in social development.
Forty five companies were awarded for playing best role in CSR. The names of the companies are: English Biscuit Manufacturers; Engro Power Gen Qadir Pur; GeII Sapphire Electric Project; Pak Arab Refinery; Mariam Ali Mohammad Tabba Foundation; Change In Education; Tourism Promotion Services Pakistan; Procter and Gamble Pakistan; Rafhan Maize Products; Total Parco Pakistan; Adamjee Insurance Company; Fauji Fertiliser Bin Qasim; Fauji Fertiliser Company; Human Development Foundation; Etihad Airways; Yunus Textile Mill; Karachi Electric Supply Company; Pepsi Cola International; Pak Datacom; Greenwich University; Total Oil Pakistan; M Muhammad Shafi & Co; CRLF Crown Group; National Bank of Pakistan; Pakistan Petroleum; Engro Foundation; Lotte Pakistan PPTA; Pakistan Tobacco Company; Fatima Fertiliser Company; EFU Life Assurance; Oil & Gas Development Company; Sui Southern Gas Company; Tameer Microfinance Bank; Js Bank; Shan Foods; Dr Essa Laboratory; Habib Bank; Pharmevo; and Abbott Laboratories Pakistan.-PR