In a ceremony to recognize public contribution towards social welfare, President Dr. Arif Alvi emphasized the importance of upholding the Constitution of Pakistan. He stated that the Constitution not only guarantees political stability but also ensures citizens’ fundamental rights. The president urged all segments of society to take responsibility for upholding the Constitution, as it is the duty of the state and its organs to bring improvement to society through a system based on welfare.
The event, organized by Network for Human and Social Development (NHSD), acknowledged the services of departments and individuals in the field of humanitarian service and philanthropy. President Alvi stressed that the Constitution vests its power in citizens, which leads to a welfare state with a political system based on social justice. He also emphasized the importance of social welfare and philanthropy to address problems such as poverty, illiteracy, and unemployment.
According to UNICEF data, 27 million out-of-school children in Pakistan pose a serious challenge and require urgent steps for their inclusion in the educational and skill-set system. President Alvi also highlighted the need to mainstream the country’s 10% population of persons with disabilities. He suggested adopting a preventive approach to health rather than a curative one to cope with the costly treatment of several diseases, including Hepatitis, AIDS, and communicable ailments.
The president emphasized that national progress is linked to implementing a system of social caring and improving people’s lives. Amir Ikram Ameen, President of NHSD, mentioned that his organization was serving vulnerable communities in Pakistan through disaster management and mitigating disaster risk, poverty alleviation, and ensuring educational and health facilities for women and children in remote villages. Badar Haroon, Vice Chairman Standing Committee Akhuwat Foundation, stated that the welfare organization had empowered people through microfinance loans worth Rs200 billion with a 99.9% return rate. The foundation also catered to medical facilities for registered transgenders above 50 years of age in a respectable way.
The chief executive officer of ACT International, Syed Mubashir Ali Shah Banoori, said that the organization, in close coordination with government departments, rolled out several projects during the recent flood emergency by providing the affected communities with food and shelter. The organization is also carrying out the provision of seeds, fertilizers, livelihood training, and the restoration of agriculture at large.
President Dr. Arif Alvi emphasized the importance of upholding the Constitution of Pakistan and social welfare to improve citizens’ lives. The event acknowledged the services of departments and individuals in the field of humanitarian service and philanthropy. The ceremony highlighted the challenges facing Pakistan, such as poverty, illiteracy, and unemployment, and the urgent need to address them through collective efforts. The organizations and individuals who contributed to social welfare in their respective areas received acknowledgment shields from the president.