The business of giving

The act of philanthropy by the business sector is the heartfelt passion for charitable initiatives undertaken through donating financial resources, goods, services, or employee time to support a range of social, environmental, and community causes. By doing so, companies demonstrate their commitment to social responsibility and the well-being of the communities they serve for addressing […]
Read More

Edhi-ism among the youth

In the midst of the global pandemic in 2019, an amalgamation of fear and confusion pervaded the heart of a young man Zoraiz, mirroring the sentiments of his compatriots in Pakistan. Being steadfast in his conviction of the profound compassion inherent within his nation, Zoraiz embarked upon a philanthropic journey to redress the adversaries and […]
Read More

The power of philanthropy in times of disaster

Climate change has led to an unprecedented increase in the frequency and severity of natural disasters. While it is wreaking havoc worldwide, the impact on developing and underdeveloped countries is much more devastating. The Global Climate Risk Index ranks Pakistan as the eighth most at-risk country in the world for extreme weather conditions due to climate change. […]
Read More

The culture of giving in Pakistan

Every afternoon, the roadside adjacent to a posh F-11 market in Islamabad is thronged by crowds of the poor and needy: daily wage earners, labourers, security guards, street children, beggars, and the homeless. The attraction? A free hot meal served on plastic mats hurriedly rolled out on the pavement — a scene that is replicated across dozens of Pakistani neighbourhoods all year, but especially during the holy month of Ramazan
Read More

Philanthropy — a buffer for floods

The changing weather patterns and average temperatures, resulting in rising sea levels, severe heat waves, floods, drought, famine, etc, are frequently described as the greatest existential threat to humanity in our times. It is contended that Pakistan’s poor management of water resources, weak infrastructure and global climate change may have exacerbated the risk of extreme weather disasters. With its limited resources, the government alone cannot cope with this colossal challenge.
Read More

Riding the winds of change

The power of youth as a potential resource and agent of change for a country’s development can never be underestimated. Young people, once their potential is tapped and steered in the right direction, are often dynamic, innovative and passionate about contributing to a good cause. The term ‘youth’ is recognised largely as the period from adolescence to early adulthood when an individual moves from dependence to independence, evolving into an active, responsible and productive member of society. Pakistan has the largest young population in the world with
Read More

Learning about philanthropy is valuable for youth

Pakistan, albeit a low middle-income country, is a generous nation where giving is a common practice among all sections of society. Nevertheless, philanthropy is neither institutionalised nor is it generally discoursed or taught about in schools, colleges or universities. Accordingly, philanthropy amongst the masses is a complex and misunderstood phenomenon. The selective few familiar with […]
Read More

Economic footprints of non-profits

Non-profit organisations (NPOs) are generally known as endowments, foundations, or non-government organisations (NGO) that raise funds and carry out operations to fulfil unmet social, environmental, or cultural needs of individuals, thus contributing significantly to the social well-being of people. NPOs offer social services and programmes through federal, provincial, and local entities for purposes other than […]
Read More

The next generation of philanthropy

Pakistan has the seventh-largest diaspora community, scattered across 140 countries. Studies claim that when diaspora populations have close bonds with their country of origin, they contribute to the economic, cultural and social development of their home countries. In the context of Pakistan, diaspora studies and diaspora philanthropy have limited research. To address this gap the […]
Read More

Diaspora philanthropy: An untapped potential for Pakistan

Philanthropy is best understood as actions of voluntary giving that serve and benefit others without expecting any return or profit. In the words of John D. Rockefeller, “think of giving not only as a duty but as a privilege”. Donating to an extensive range of causes, and their impact on international development can bring about massive changes. […]
Read More