UK corporate sector selects PPAF as Global Partner for Pakistan  
By Ansr Mehmood 'Pakistan Times' Special Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: Business in the Community (BITC), a UK-based non-profit organization and Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) have joined hands to strengthen the networks of responsible corporate sector for community-based development.

The BITC which is headed by headed by Prince Charles has selected PPAF as its “partner of choice” through which organizations and affiliated entities of PPAF would work together to create opportunities to participate in programmes and acquire services from other network partners of BITC.

Partnership agreement to this effect was signed by David Halley, Head of International Relationships, BITC, and Kamal Hyat, Chief Executive Officer PPAF on behalf of their respective institutions here.

The central focus of BITC is to inspire, engage, support and challenge business in continually improving impact they have in communities in which they are located, the environment, marketplace and workplace through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

BITC is a unique organization of over 800 member (multinationals with global partners), committed to a positive impact on society. Further 3,000 companies are engaged through programmes and campaigns which operate locally.

The “Global Partner Network” of BITC brings together 120 organizations operating in over 70 countries in Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Americas.

The flagship programmes and campaigns of BITC include recognizing the business benefits of integrating environmental strategy into core operations, achieving success in business by meeting social needs, treating customers and suppliers fairly and with respect.

It is also engaged in mobilizing its company, employees, customers and suppliers to reduce their carbon footprint and wider environmental impact, measuring, reporting and continuously improving the environmental impact of operations, products and services, using natural resources efficiently and minimizing waste, offering innovative products and services that minimize harm to the natural environment.

PPAF is the lead institution for poverty reduction interventions in the country. Set up as a fully autonomous private sector institution, PPAF enjoys facilitation and support from the Government of Pakistan, the World Bank and other international donors.

The outreach of PPAF now extends throughout Pakistan and its microcredit, water and community physical infrastructure, drought mitigation, education, health and capacity building interventions have expanded to the nook and corner of the country.

PPAF carries out its various interventions through 72 partner organizations working in 112 districts across the country.

Its cumulative operational activities entail over 1.9 million microcred it loans (impacting 11.4 million with 45 per cent women beneficiaries and 100 percent recovery rate), over 16,500 health, education, water and infrastructure projects (impacting 8.3 million with 50 per cent women beneficiaries), 238,900 trained individuals, staff and communities (42 per cent women).

In earthquake-hit areas, PPAF is managing housing grants to over 116,000 households and trained 107,000 individuals in safe construction skills.

Furthermore, it is rehabilitating or constructing over 600 facilities in infrastructure, health and education sectors. It is also running a livestock replacement and disability programme.●