Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy (PCP)’s latest corporate philanthropy report reveals that business companies in Pakistan collectively donated PKR 23.65 billion for various social causes in 2023, marking a notable increase from PKR 16.76 billion in 2022. In recognition of the generous contribution of the business sector, PCP organized the Corporate Philanthropy Awards 2024 on November 19th in Islamabad. The event was chaired by Mr. Ali Pervaiz Malik, Minister of State for Finance, Revenue, and Power. During his address, he acknowledged and encouraged the increasing importance of corporate philanthropy in supporting the government’s efforts for social and economic development, particularly in times of crisis.
The distinguished guests of the award ceremony included Mr. Zaffar A. Khan (S.I.), Chairman PCP Board of Directors, Dr. Attiya Inayatullah, Chairperson PCP Research Committee, Ms. Shazia Maqsood Amjad, Executive Director of PCP, and representatives from leading corporate firms and civil society organizations.
PCP’s Executive Director shared the salient features of the report highlighting that Public Listed Companies (PLCs) contributed the largest share, amounting to PKR 17.69 billion, while Public Unlisted Companies (PUCs) and Private Limited Companies (PvLCs) also significantly contributed PKR 2.60 billion and PKR 3.36 billion respectively. She further highlighted that the corporate sector’s philanthropic support escalated significantly during the 2022 floods, with Bank Alfalah Limited, Mari Petroleum Company Limited, and United Bank Limited standing out as lead contributors donating PKR 2,180 million, PKR 500 million, and PKR 468 million, respectively.
The Minister of State for Finance, Revenue, and Power presented awards to the 18 companies, ranked the highest as per the volume of donation and the percentage of donations relative to Profit Before Tax (PBT). The Award receiving companies included Mari Petroleum Company Ltd; Pakistan Petroleum Ltd; Oil & Gas Development Company Ltd; Sanghar Sugar Mills Ltd; Ghani Value Glass Ltd; Ghani Glass Ltd; Yunus Textile Mills Ltd; Y.B. Pakistan Ltd; Novatex Ltd; Ghani Ceramics Ltd; IJARA Capital Partners Ltd; Green House Ltd; Barrett Hodgson Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd; U.S. Denim Mills (Pvt.) Ltd; Diamond Paint Industries (Pvt.) Ltd; Al-Riaz Agencies (Pvt.) Ltd; and Roomi Enterprises (Pvt.) Ltd.
In view of the increasing significance of reckoning the impact of philanthropic efforts, the event featured a panel discussion titled “Understanding and Measuring Social Impact of Nonprofits” based on the information and lessons drawn from the Impact Assessment Handbook for Nonprofits, a collaborative research between PCP and the School of Education, LUMS. The panel highlighted how guidelines and steps to be followed from the Impact Assessment Handbook empower nonprofits to conduct their own impact assessment. This enables donors to identify and support organizations that demonstrate measurable outcomes, ensuring that philanthropic investments are directed and utilized effectively. The panel discussion was chaired by Dr. Attiya Inayatullah, Chairperson of the PCP Research Committee, joined by distinguished panelists including Mr. Ahmed Hayat Lak, MD & CEO of Oil & Gas Development Company Limited; Ms. Seema Aziz, Founder & Chairperson CARE Foundation; Mr. Syed Farhan Bokhari, Member PCP Board of Directors; Dr. Lubna Zafar, President of Hemophilia Patients Welfare Society; and Mr. Nasruminallah Mian, Head Program &Digital/ICT Sector, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Pakistan.
Both the sessions highlighted the important role of philanthropy in the development landscape of Pakistan, and propagated for the need to measure the social impact of nonprofits’ work.
Mr. Zaffar A. Khan, Chairman of PCP Board of Directors, in his remarks, reaffirmed the importance of corporate philanthropy in supplementing the government and civil society’s efforts for sustainable development. He noted that this year’s survey report continues to shed light on the valuable contributions made by the business community towards various social investments in the country.
PCP annually conducts its corporate philanthropy survey to highlight the good practices of giving by the business community and this report is 19th in the series to document and recognize valuable contributions of corporate sector towards various social causes.
