Individual funding consistently strives to fill the vacuum of social services in many areas from education to healthcare. It’s true that philanthropy doesn’t have anything close to the resources of government and can’t replace vital functions of the public sector. But it surely can and does fill the gaps. The challenge for those Pakistanis with financial resources to donate is that it’s nearly impossible to decide which cause is most deserving; after all, poverty is on full display. The great mass of the population can be labelled as the less fortunate. It’s also hard to know whom to trust. In most cases, civil society organisations get bypassed in favour of donations to individuals — primarily due to lack of trust. While our culture has always encouraged a deep need to help the less fortunate, our internal benevolence might never help in absolute poverty alleviation.
Although the religious mandate to help the unfortunate is just the starting point for a culture of philanthropy, it does not restrict us from selecting impact-oriented causes that deserve our support.
Therefore, individual donations can play a more effective role in inclusive development than simply providing palliative treatment for an ailment that is curable. There is no doubt that Pakistan is a generous nation. However, this charitable impulse needs to target more impact-oriented philanthropy — where generosity can translate into schools and healthcare facilities for those who cannot afford. This can only be achieved if we channel the great act of giving. Both the state and the people of Pakistan have a role to play in this act. We can collectively fund causes and organisations that help society.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 21st, 2018.
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