ISLAMABAD: Senate Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani has said that the service to humanity and downtrodden community is the hallmark of a society, however, the situation in Pakistan speaks otherwise.
Addressing participants of an event hosted by Azmat Pakistan Foundation to share achievements and success story of Akhuwat – the world’s largest interest-free micro finance provider – the Senate chairman said: “State is working for the elites of the society.”
“Unfortunately, after every five or six years, an amnesty scheme is announced to waive off loans borrowed by the elite,” he said, adding that such policies had brought the country under economic stress and the situation had gone from bad to worse, as amnesty was not a remedy to fix the problem.
He said that Akhuwat had made a difference in this regard as its target communities were the poor and destitute. Rabbani appreciated the achievement made by Akhuwat by bringing a positive change to the socio-economic lives of the marginalised segments of the society, and said that the poor and working class of the country wanted to work with honesty and devotion and there was a dire need to patronise them.
Rabbani lauded the Akhuwat’s collaboration with Azmat Pakistan Foundation, and said that establishment of a school for marginalised children was a step in right direction. He said that there was no dearth of individuals who really wanted to serve the community but they remain unnoticed and there was a need to highlight their contributions. He wished success for both Akhuwat and Azmat Pakistan Foundations in their endeavours to share the burden of the society, especially the poor and deprived communities.
Senate Secretary Amjed Pervez Malik, who is also the founding member of the Azmat Pakistan Foundation, said that the foundation is aimed at contributing and mobilising resources for opening up windows of opportunity, learning and grooming of the people and children of selected areas.
He said that Akhuwat had worked on a model, which was totally interest-free with best dividends and returns. He said that Azmat Foundation had been launched to bring change to the lives of the disadvantage communities and would continue to serve the underprivileged segments for a brighter Pakistan.
The ceremony was also addressed by Dr Amjed Saqib, the CEE of Akhuwat, former naval chief Asif Sandhela, Nasir Nazir Dar, director Azmat Foundation. Minister for Human Rights Mumtaz Ahmed Tarar, senators and people from different walks of life.
Published in Daily Times, February 17th 2018.
