Governor lauds role of NGOs in social sector

Zubair meets HANDS delegation

KARACHI: It is a matter of pride for the whole country that non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working in the social sector in Pakistan are recognised globally and are supported by international donor agencies.

Governor Mohammad Zubair said this while being briefed on the services of an NGO, the Health and Nutrition Development Society (HANDS), at Governor House. HANDS Patron-in-Chief Dr Abdul Ghaffar Billoo was also present on the occasion.

The governor was of the view that endorsement of HANDS' work in the fields of health, education and livelihood by international agencies such as United States Agency for International Development and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation was a reflection of the NGO's credibility.



Welfare and charitable organisations act as an extended arm of government in providing basic amenities of life to people across the country, Zubair said.

Citing examples of development projects in Thar that have been undertaken by companies operating in the area under corporate social responsibility, the governor said the residents of Thar had access to better education, health and infrastructure facilities due to such projects. Many schools, health centres, hand pumps and sanitation schemes have been completed in Thar and work on several other projects is in different phases of completion, he added.

HANDS Chief Executive Dr Tanveer briefed the governor about the projects of the NGO. He informed him that HANDS was established in 1979 and it was present in 17,000 villages in 48 districts across Pakistan. Lauding the 37-year-long services of HANDS in 48 districts of the country, the governor said it was a remarkable achievement.