Report on state of CSR in Pakistan launched

Attendants at event stress welfare of stakeholders, urge regulation.

ISLAMABAD:

Politician and entrepreneur Jahangir Khan Tareen chaired a consultation and report launch organised by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) on “The state of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Pakistan – an illustrative example of sugar production” here on Tuesday. He launched two SDPI reports titled “Corporate Conscience: CSR in Pakistan – A study” and “Corporate Social Responsibility: Studying the Sugar Production Process in Pakistan” on the occasion.

While addressing the gathering, Jahangir Khan Tareen said that thinking socially and ensuring the well-being of stakeholders holds the key to a successful and profitable business. He shared the business model of his sugar mill where he integrated the business strategy with welfare of sugarcane farmers through micro-credit and technical support.

This, he claimed, had resulted in an unprecedented increase in production and profitability. He also mentioned other welfare initiatives such as providing funds to farmers for deep well turbine pumps, building schools and roads, establishing eye camps in rural communities and provision of artificial limbs for disable people.

SDPI Executive Director Dr Abid Suleri, also present on the occasion, said that philanthropy, benevolence and corporate social responsibility must not be treated as the same, and must be regarded more consciously. 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 4^th, 2012.