Mansoor Sadiq

It is the responsibility of the private sector to join hands with the government to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), said a senior minister. “Pakistan needs the concerted efforts of the business community, civil society, academia and political leadership to fight illiteracy, poverty, disease and climate change,” said Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal while speaking at the 15th International CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Conference-2023, in Islamabad, organised by National Forum for Environment and Health (NFEH).

The minister said it was important that all segments of Pakistani society work together to improve the living standard of millions of poor families. He said that only those companies that gave due attention to activities under the CSR sustained in the long-term. Ahsan Iqbal said that corporate entities should allocate resources to end illiteracy and diseases in the communities where they work so that their operations should be in alignment with the SDGs. He stressed the need to utilise natural resources responsibly, avoid spreading pollution, and adopt a circular economy.

He said the corporate sector had to play an important role in protecting public health and serving the cause of poverty alleviation in the society in line with the SDGs. He said that the corporate sector needs to embrace the goal of increasing the country’s exports. “As many as 530 companies are listed with Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), out of which only 74 have annual exports worth more than 10,000. This is a very dire situation which needs to be changed,” he said.

Founder of Akhuwat Foundation Dr Amjad Saqib expressed gratitude to the corporate sector for generously donating to support the massive relief and rescue effort after the devastating floods of 2022. He said a micro-finance programme was needed for the livelihood, health, and educational needs of the country’s needy communities.

The NFEH President Naeem Qureshi said that his organisation will continue to work on environmental protection, renewable energy, sustainable development, and tree plantation in the country. Representatives of other charities including Baitussalam Foundation, Million Smiles Foundation, Faizan Global Relief Foundation and Chairman of NEPRA (National Electric Power Regulatory Authority) also spoke at the conference and highlighted the services of their respective institutions.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk