In any country, social experts see that charities and community groups bring citizens together, support communities as well as build social capital. Some social experts notice that the voluntary sector/organizations alone cannot solve the all economic challenges facing Pakistan at the moment but can help boost the economic growth. The UNDP’s National Human Development Report (NHDR) has clearly showed that current labor force participation and unemployment rates suggest that Pakistan’s working-age population includes almost 3.5 million unemployed individuals. At the current participation and unemployment levels and considering the number of retirees, the country needs to create 4.5 million jobs over the next 5 years (0.9 million jobs yearly). No doubt, small scale manufacturing, which includes small businesses units, social enterprises and charities, can create wealth and assist keep this money circulating within a domestic area. Another significant role for charities is in offering early intervention support. Investing in these services can save taxpayers billions.
In Pakistan where philanthropy is said to be universal, a 10 percent rise in the volume of charitable giving in holy month of Ramazan at over 5 percent GDP growth is remarkable. For Muslims charity is not a choice. Islam ordains Muslim to pay Zakat on the value of accumulated wealth beyond a specified limit at the rate 2.5 percent. Sources mention that living up to their reputation generous Pakistanis are donating liberally this Ramazan.
In Pakistan, religious institutions like madrassahs and mosques likely get the bulk of givings that goes to organizations particularly in Ramazan. These institutions also have infrastructure in place geared toward collecting small donations, in the form of door-to-door campaigns, donation boxes placed at counters of shopping outlets, and so on. Through such efforts, they are highly visible to potential donors. Proximity and reputation are the two main factors that encourage citizens to donate to any one organisation. These institutions are more trusted than civil society organisations, hence they receive the lion’s share of donations that flow to organizations in Pakistan.
Experts also mentioned that the magnitude of charitable giving in the country in 2018 is predicted to reach a new peak of approximately Rs173 billion. The estimate was worked out by hiking last year’s charity spending of Rs158 billion by 10 percent. A study ‘The state of individual philanthropy in Pakistan’ released in 2016 by the Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy showed that the total predicted magnitude of yearly household giving in the country was Rs239.7 billion during 2014 a three-fold rise since 1998. It found that major share comprise of monetary donations but people also donate in kind and through time volunteerism.
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Study also mentioned that if the volume of donations can double every 5 years, in a period of 16 years closing 2014 during a time when the GDP growth rate was lower than we can safely assume that the magnitude of donation may have multiplied faster during the past four years of economic revival.
Several things stand out about philanthropy in Pakistan in comparison to other nations. First, Pakistan has a long tradition of religious giving through Zakat and other forms of giving. Second, nearly 98 percent of Pakistanis either give through cash, in-kind, or time volunteered. The annual amount of individual giving is estimated at Rs. 240 billion in 2013-14. Based on collected statistics, individual giving in Pakistan is estimated at about Rs. 240 billion during 2014. Furthermore, the Stanford Social Innovation Review in March 2018 commented on the trend of philanthropy in Pakistan. It urged that charitable giving in Pakistan is over 1.0 percent of GDP. In this respect the country is said to be in the league of far wealthier nations like UK (1.3pc) and Canada (1.2pc) and stands about twice at what India spends on giving in terms of percentage. Truly speaking, philanthropy in Pakistan is not limited many organizations are still offering their services to the citizens the main are as under:
Edhi Foundation
The Edhi Foundation is a non-profit social welfare program in Pakistan, provides 24-hour emergency assistance across the nation of Pakistan and abroad. The Foundation provides, among many other services, shelter for the destitute, free hospitals and medical care, drug rehabilitation services, and national and international relief efforts. Its main focuses are Emergency Services, Orphans, Handicapped Persons, Shelters, Education, Healthcare, International Community Centers, Blood & Drug Bank, air ambulance services, Marine and Coastal Services.
Chhipa Welfare Association
Chhipa Welfare Association is purely a non-profit, non-government Organization registered with Government of Pakistan and Government of Sindh. The ambulance centres also accept animals that have been sacrificed on the occasion of a child’s birth (Aqiqah) or as other forms of voluntary charity (Sadaqah). These sacrifices are prepared as food for people with a low income.
Saylani Welfare Trust
Saylani Welfare Trust is a Pakistani charity focusing primarily on feeding the homeless. In view of all the difficulties faced by the poor, Saylani Welfare Trust has organized 63 different sectors to sort out the problems of the ones who are in need. These departments are efficiently working for the cause of the society. This organization has become a back-bone of the poor society and provides help after a complete inquiry survey. This organization receives aid from different parts of the world.