PCP’s ‘Corporate Philanthropy Awards’ to top companies

Karachi: December 12, 2012, Mr. Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, Speaker Sindh Assembly on Wednesday, gave away the 6th PCP Corporate Philanthropy Awards to companies that are high contributors to social development in the country under their CSR portfolios. The Finance Minister Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, was unable to attend on account of the cabinet meeting at Islamabad. The award distribution ceremony was organized by Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy (PCP) and sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and was held at the Sheraton Hotel, Karachi. The event was attended by leading businessmen, ministers, parliamentarians, senior government officials, civil society representatives, donors and media.

The Finance Minister, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh’s speech was read out at the occasion. The Finance Minister appreciated PCP’s contribution in promoting Philanthropy for social development and building partnerships between the Government the private sector and civil society. He complemented the business sector for its generous support for social development and stated that the documented figure of PKR 3.8 billion contributed philanthropy (in-cash) by Public Listed Companies (PLCs) alone was notable and inspiring. The present PCP survey shows that the volume of corporate philanthropy has increased nearly seventeen-fold from the surveys base year (2000) to the year 2011. (Total donations by PLCs increased to PKR 3.8 billion in 2011 from the base year figure of PKR 223 Million). The Finance Minister stated that the Government would do all it could to support philanthropy for social development and to build partnerships promoting national brotherhood, peace and prosperity.  

The representative of the UNDP at the occasion, made a presentation on the development programme of the UNDP, with emphasis on recent efforts towards seeking strong and effective partnerships with the corporate sector.  

Dr. Shamsh Lakha, H.I., S.I., Chairman PCP Board in his welcome address, shared that the annual event, in pursuance of the Centre’s philanthropy agenda, hopes to inspire and motivate companies to move forward with greater devotion to meet the social responsibility campaign. PCP instituted the awards to recognize and promote corporate contributions to society. These awards are based on Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy’s research based survey titled ‘Corporate Philanthropy in Pakistan: Survey of Public Listed Companies 2011’. The survey is part of PCP’s ongoing effort to document and encourage corporate philanthropy.

Awardees ranked top 5 for the year 2011 for the highest volume of donations are (1) Pakistan Petroleum Limited (2) HBL (3) Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (4) Fauji Fertilizer Company Limited and (5) Engro Corporation Limited.  Awardees ranked top 5 for the year 2011 by volume of donations as a percentage of PBT are (1) IGI Insurance Limited, (2) Leiner Pak Gelatine Limited (3) Fateh Textile Mills Limited (4) Descon Chemicals Limited and (5) Pak Datacom Limited respectively.

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About the Centre Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy (PCP) was established in 2001 and is an independent nonprofit support organization, licensed under section 42 of the Companies Ordinance 1984. PCP is governed by a Board of Directors comprising eminent citizens, business leaders and representatives of civil society organizations. The Centre will continue to conduct surveys on corporate philanthropy annually and organize awards for top corporate givers.