Qaiser Sheikh emphasizes promotion of regional trade
Islamabad: Minister for Maritime Affairs Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh while underscoring the importance of regional trade on Tuesday said that now it is a right time to focus on promotion of regional trade for progress and prosperity of the country.
Speaking at the 17th Annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Summit and Awards 2025, the minister highlighted the global trend of increasing regional trade. He said that despite conflicts between China and Taiwan, substantial regional trade continues between both the counties.
He stressed the need for Pakistan to enhance trade relations with Bangladesh and India as well.
Sheikh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to steering the country out of the economic crisis. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the government has launched the ambitious “Uraan Pakistan” program, aiming to boost trade volume from $370 billion to $1 trillion within the next decade.
He further stated that all-out efforts are being made to double the country’s exports within the next four years. He highlighted key economic improvements, mentioning that inflation has dropped from 22% to 2%, and foreign remittances have increased by 25% over the past seven months due to the government’s initiatives.
The minister said the country’s currency has also stabilized while foreign reserves is also increasing day by day.
The minister emphasized Pakistan’s vast economic potential and ongoing efforts to ease the cost of doing business. He assured that electricity prices would see a sharp decline in the coming months, while the policy rate has been slashed from 22% to 11% to stimulate economic activity.
Sheikh also commended the organizers for holding the award summit to recognize corporate social responsibility efforts by various institutions and companies.
The 17th Annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Summit and Awards 2025, themed “Sustainable Pakistan,” was organized by the National Forum for Environment and Health (NFEH). The summit provided a key platform for discussions on corporate philanthropy and social responsibility, bringing together industry leaders, experts, and stakeholders to explore ways to enhance CSR initiatives for underprivileged communities across Pakistan.
The summit honored the outstanding contributions of public and private sector organizations in supporting marginalized communities. A total of 125 awards were presented to representatives from 73 leading companies in recognition of their exceptional CSR efforts.
Executive Director of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), Musarat Jabeen, highlighted that Pakistan, with a population exceeding 255 million and an annual growth rate of 2.4%, faces numerous challenges, including environmental concerns, health, education, and energy. She urged companies to enhance transparency and actively engage stakeholders in CSR initiatives. She emphasized that CSR is closely linked to ethical and religious values and stressed the need for well-organized CSR efforts. She also mentioned that Pakistan has already developed a framework for CSR activities, though many initiatives take time to yield results.
Kamran Rizvi, Co-Founder of Camelian and a senior consultant and lead trainer, emphasized that CSR is a crucial tool for making a difference in society. He advocated integrating CSR efforts with core business strategies while prioritizing key social issues. He also highlighted the importance of stakeholder collaboration, transparent communication, and effective evaluation of CSR projects.
President of NFEH, Naeem Qureshi, congratulated the award winners, noting that their CSR initiatives have provided significant relief to the general public. He highlighted that the participating companies have collectively planted over 270,000 trees as part of the Green Pakistan initiative.
Several notable figures shared insights on their organizations’ CSR contributions. CEO of Youth Impact, AVM Aftab Hussain CEO Sundus Foundation Dr Imran Taj
A. Samad; President of EmpowerHer and the Center of Pakistan and International Relations, Amna Munawwar Awan; and CEO of My Impact Meter, , discussed their efforts in uplifting marginalized communities across the country.
Other distinguished speakers included Tariq Jadoon
vice President of FPCCI Muhammad Atif Sheikh, a disability and development expert; President Pak USA Alumni Association Saima Amjad; Sana Ajmal, Founder and Executive Director of Meethi Zindagi; Aatekah Mir Khan, Corporate Manager of Policy Development at Nestlé Pakistan; Faizan Sarwar, Business Development Manager at Schneider Electric; Dr Yogi Wajahat and Bashir Malik, Chairman of Bin Qutub Foundation.
The summit successfully highlighted the critical role of corporate social responsibility in fostering sustainable development and improving the lives of underprivileged communities in Pakistan.
Speaking at the 17th Annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Summit and Awards 2025, the minister highlighted the global trend of increasing regional trade. He said that despite conflicts between China and Taiwan, substantial regional trade continues between both the counties.
He stressed the need for Pakistan to enhance trade relations with Bangladesh and India as well.
Sheikh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to steering the country out of the economic crisis. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the government has launched the ambitious “Uraan Pakistan” program, aiming to boost trade volume from $370 billion to $1 trillion within the next decade.
He further stated that all-out efforts are being made to double the country’s exports within the next four years. He highlighted key economic improvements, mentioning that inflation has dropped from 22% to 2%, and foreign remittances have increased by 25% over the past seven months due to the government’s initiatives.
The minister said the country’s currency has also stabilized while foreign reserves is also increasing day by day.
The minister emphasized Pakistan’s vast economic potential and ongoing efforts to ease the cost of doing business. He assured that electricity prices would see a sharp decline in the coming months, while the policy rate has been slashed from 22% to 11% to stimulate economic activity.
Sheikh also commended the organizers for holding the award summit to recognize corporate social responsibility efforts by various institutions and companies.
The 17th Annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Summit and Awards 2025, themed “Sustainable Pakistan,” was organized by the National Forum for Environment and Health (NFEH). The summit provided a key platform for discussions on corporate philanthropy and social responsibility, bringing together industry leaders, experts, and stakeholders to explore ways to enhance CSR initiatives for underprivileged communities across Pakistan.
The summit honored the outstanding contributions of public and private sector organizations in supporting marginalized communities. A total of 125 awards were presented to representatives from 73 leading companies in recognition of their exceptional CSR efforts.
Executive Director of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), Musarat Jabeen, highlighted that Pakistan, with a population exceeding 255 million and an annual growth rate of 2.4%, faces numerous challenges, including environmental concerns, health, education, and energy. She urged companies to enhance transparency and actively engage stakeholders in CSR initiatives. She emphasized that CSR is closely linked to ethical and religious values and stressed the need for well-organized CSR efforts. She also mentioned that Pakistan has already developed a framework for CSR activities, though many initiatives take time to yield results.
Kamran Rizvi, Co-Founder of Camelian and a senior consultant and lead trainer, emphasized that CSR is a crucial tool for making a difference in society. He advocated integrating CSR efforts with core business strategies while prioritizing key social issues. He also highlighted the importance of stakeholder collaboration, transparent communication, and effective evaluation of CSR projects.
President of NFEH, Naeem Qureshi, congratulated the award winners, noting that their CSR initiatives have provided significant relief to the general public. He highlighted that the participating companies have collectively planted over 270,000 trees as part of the Green Pakistan initiative.
Several notable figures shared insights on their organizations’ CSR contributions. CEO of Youth Impact, AVM Aftab Hussain CEO Sundus Foundation Dr Imran Taj
A. Samad; President of EmpowerHer and the Center of Pakistan and International Relations, Amna Munawwar Awan; and CEO of My Impact Meter, , discussed their efforts in uplifting marginalized communities across the country.
Other distinguished speakers included Tariq Jadoon
vice President of FPCCI Muhammad Atif Sheikh, a disability and development expert; President Pak USA Alumni Association Saima Amjad; Sana Ajmal, Founder and Executive Director of Meethi Zindagi; Aatekah Mir Khan, Corporate Manager of Policy Development at Nestlé Pakistan; Faizan Sarwar, Business Development Manager at Schneider Electric; Dr Yogi Wajahat and Bashir Malik, Chairman of Bin Qutub Foundation.
The summit successfully highlighted the critical role of corporate social responsibility in fostering sustainable development and improving the lives of underprivileged communities in Pakistan.
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