Punjab chambers hold workshop to promote safe charity practices

Bargad, in collaboration with eight Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Punjab held a consultative workshop on Wednesday. The representatives of Chambers of Commerce and Industry from the cities of Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Bahawalpur, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Jhang and Gujrat engaged in a consultation to promote safe charity practices in the province by devising a strategy to structure the process of charity.
The representatives of the chambers said that they will devise a strategy that they devise a strategy document. They will share this document with all Chambers of Punjab. According to a study conducted in 2015 by Pakistan Peace Collective (PPC), a research body of Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage, Pakistanis give an estimated amount of Rs 650 billion in charity every year.
The data reveals that 68% of people give charity in the month of Ramazan. Only 2% are aware that their charity may be used to wrongful activities and 26% are unaware how or where their money is being spent. About 78% of Pakistanis give charity, while 69% give charity in the form of money.
Malik Ejaz Naeem, President of the Bahawalpur Chambers of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) shared details of the work done by through their CSR practices. He explained that BCCI's practices include charity in kind instead of cash to ensure direct and safe transfer of services.
Khuram Javed, General Secretary of the Multan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) shared that different policies exist for charity through CSR funds managed by the chamber but there is a need for homogenization of these policies across all chambers. "We can learn from each other's best practices and gatherings like these are helpful when all stakeholders are sitting together to strategize for a way forward in a collaborative manner."
Tehmina Habib said, "There is a need that people, especially the business community are well aware with misuse of charity for violent purposes. It is suggested that the local chambers of commerce should spread awareness on safe charity among its members so that the charity money is reached to the deserving individuals and organizations."
Khawaja Faooq stressed on the need to identify which areas and sectors need charity and the kind of charity that is required to ensure rightful and careful distribution of funds. He said that this is a huge task and coordination is required at all levels to make it a success.