Intro
Muhammad Rehan Hashmi is a former Member of the National Assembly and Chairman of the Pakistan Red Crescent Society Sindh Branch. He has extensive experience in administrative affairs, human resources, and strategic policy-making, among other areas. He has served as an advisor to a foreign trade mission and has also been active in promoting bilateral trade and investment. In April 2025, he was appointed as the Chairman of the Pakistan Red Crescent Society Sindh by the Governor of Sindh. He is also playing an active role in the fields of educational institutions, sports associations, and youth development. He is attracting the youth towards healthy activities by sponsoring various sports. He is also associated with other sports including the Chairman of Sindh Taekwondo, Chairman of Karachi Fencing Association, Chairman of Sindh Kickboxing. A very interesting and informative interview conducted by The AZB with Muhammad Rehan Hashmi is being presented to the readers.
Interview
AZB : Tell us something about the global and national history of the Red Crescent?
Rehan Hashmi : The Red Crescent is present in 191 countries of the world, while in Pakistan it was established in December 1947 and Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was its first president.
AZB : Tell us about the presence of the Red Crescent and its volunteers in Sindh?
Rehan Hashmi : Apart from Karachi, we have 20 branches across Sindh and training is being provided to approximately 1200 volunteers.
AZB : How far do you want to expand the activities of the Red Crescent?
Rehan Hashmi : We strive to ensure that the Red Crescent’s activities are not limited to schools but also extend them to mosques and madrassas, so that as many people as possible can benefit from them.
AZB : In which sectors is the Red Crescent providing services?
Rehan Hashmi : We are working in numerous sectors, especially in emergency situations, our role is very important, but unfortunately the public is not fully aware of our activities.
AZB : What vacuum was created after the abolition of past institutions like NCC and Civil Defence?
Rehan Hashmi : In the past, there were institutions like the National Cadet Corps and Civil Defense that trained people to deal with emergencies. Now, the Red Crescent can fill their gap.
AZB : What challenges do you face?
Rehan Hashmi : Bureaucracy is a big problem. For example, we could not start work in Orangi Town despite having land for 40 years.
AZB : What is your strategy at the community level?
Rehan Hashmi : We want people in every community to be part of the Red Crescent team, and there should be at least 10 people in schools, mosques and madrasas who can provide first aid. Every institution should also have a first aid box.
AZB : What would you say about the interest of volunteers?
Rehan Hashmi : About 90 percent of volunteers are willing to work without any compensation, and some are even willing to pay from their own pockets. I believe they should be encouraged at all levels.
AZB : What can be the role of the Red Crescent in emergencies, especially fire incidents, in Karachi?
Rehan Hashmi : The Red Crescent can play an important role in controlling fires in buildings, shopping centers, and other places in the city and in providing timely medical assistance.
AZB : Do you also organize other activities?
Rehan Hashmi : Yes, we organize free medical camps at various times and also have the ability to train people from different fields.
AZB : What is the procedure for approving projects?
Rehan Hashmi : If a project comes up, we take approval from our head office in Islamabad and start work legally.
AZB : How is the Red Crescent playing a role in public issues?
Rehan Hashmi : Malnutrition due to poverty is a major problem, affecting women and newborns. We are also addressing this issue.
AZB : What can you tell us about the duration of the training?
Rehan Hashmi : Our training is not long, people can learn a lot even from just two days of training.
AZB : What are the resources and expenses of the Red Crescent in Karachi?
Rehan Hashmi : We have more than 100 people working in Karachi, including doctors and nurses. The annual expenses are about Rs. 120 million, while the monthly rent is about Rs. 5 million.
AZB : Tell us about the Red Crescent building?
Rehan Hashmi : Our building is situated on an area of more than an acre and we got it when the Red Crescent branch was established in Karachi.
AZB : What is your message to the public?
Rehan Hashmi : The public should encourage the positive work of the Red Crescent and if they want to do charitable work, join us so that this mission can be further expanded.
Rehan Hashmi : The Red Crescent is present in 191 countries of the world, while in Pakistan it was established in December 1947 and Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was its first president.
AZB : Tell us about the presence of the Red Crescent and its volunteers in Sindh?
Rehan Hashmi : Apart from Karachi, we have 20 branches across Sindh and training is being provided to approximately 1200 volunteers.
AZB : How far do you want to expand the activities of the Red Crescent?
Rehan Hashmi : We strive to ensure that the Red Crescent’s activities are not limited to schools but also extend them to mosques and madrassas, so that as many people as possible can benefit from them.
AZB : In which sectors is the Red Crescent providing services?
Rehan Hashmi : We are working in numerous sectors, especially in emergency situations, our role is very important, but unfortunately the public is not fully aware of our activities.
AZB : What vacuum was created after the abolition of past institutions like NCC and Civil Defence?
Rehan Hashmi : In the past, there were institutions like the National Cadet Corps and Civil Defense that trained people to deal with emergencies. Now, the Red Crescent can fill their gap.
AZB : What challenges do you face?
Rehan Hashmi : Bureaucracy is a big problem. For example, we could not start work in Orangi Town despite having land for 40 years.
AZB : What is your strategy at the community level?
Rehan Hashmi : We want people in every community to be part of the Red Crescent team, and there should be at least 10 people in schools, mosques and madrasas who can provide first aid. Every institution should also have a first aid box.
AZB : What would you say about the interest of volunteers?
Rehan Hashmi : About 90 percent of volunteers are willing to work without any compensation, and some are even willing to pay from their own pockets. I believe they should be encouraged at all levels.
AZB : What can be the role of the Red Crescent in emergencies, especially fire incidents, in Karachi?
Rehan Hashmi : The Red Crescent can play an important role in controlling fires in buildings, shopping centers, and other places in the city and in providing timely medical assistance.
AZB : Do you also organize other activities?
Rehan Hashmi : Yes, we organize free medical camps at various times and also have the ability to train people from different fields.
AZB : What is the procedure for approving projects?
Rehan Hashmi : If a project comes up, we take approval from our head office in Islamabad and start work legally.
AZB : How is the Red Crescent playing a role in public issues?
Rehan Hashmi : Malnutrition due to poverty is a major problem, affecting women and newborns. We are also addressing this issue.
AZB : What can you tell us about the duration of the training?
Rehan Hashmi : Our training is not long, people can learn a lot even from just two days of training.
AZB : What are the resources and expenses of the Red Crescent in Karachi?
Rehan Hashmi : We have more than 100 people working in Karachi, including doctors and nurses. The annual expenses are about Rs. 120 million, while the monthly rent is about Rs. 5 million.
AZB : Tell us about the Red Crescent building?
Rehan Hashmi : Our building is situated on an area of more than an acre and we got it when the Red Crescent branch was established in Karachi.
AZB : What is your message to the public?
Rehan Hashmi : The public should encourage the positive work of the Red Crescent and if they want to do charitable work, join us so that this mission can be further expanded.
