KARACHI – Majyd Aziz, Former President Employers’ Federation of Pakistan, was elected as President of UN Global Compact Network Pakistan at the Annual General Meeting. Ismail Suttar (Hub Salt Balochistan) was elected as Senior Vice President while Mahvash Siddiqui (EPLA Laboratories Karachi), Muhammad Waqar (Nestle Pakistan Lahore) and Usman Mukhtar (Sadaqat Limited Faisalabad) were elected as Vice Presidents.
The AGM also elected 18 members of the Executive Committee including six co-opted members representing United Nations, Government, WEBCOP, Workers, Academia and Women.
Addressing the AGM, Majyd Aziz informed that the members, representing multinational and national companies, have not only pledged but have initiated projects to confirm with the ten principles of UNCG. He added that these ten principles include three related to Human Rights, four related to Labor, three related to Environment and one related to Anti-Corruption.
Majyd Aziz advised the Federal Planning and Development Ministry to have a dedicated website that should be regularly updated with information highlighting the initiatives undertaken by Federal and Provincial governments to progress towards achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. He also called upon Chambers, Trade Associations, and Corporations to sensitize the government to fast-track efforts in achieving the SDGs. He said Pakistan has miserably failed in achieving the Millennium Development Goals and expressed his dismay that the government’s progress towards achievement of SDGs is very slow and a lot has to be done during the next nine years to meet the deadline.
Majyd Aziz further added that achievement of SDGs would also be beneficial if Pakistan is to be granted GSP Plus status by the EU after expiry of the present status in December 2023. He also informed that the three Pakistani constituents of ILO, that is, employers, workers, and government had voted for the ILO Centenary Declaration at the International Labor Conference in June 2019 and the SDG goals are incorporated in the Declaration.
Earlier, Fasihul Karim Siddiqui, Executive Director GCNP, presented the Annual Report, Accounts, and Action Plan 2021. He informed that the Pakistan Network has been in existence for the last 15 years and has undertaken various projects regarding implementation of the ten principles and SDGs. He added that a comprehensive activity plan has been chalked for the year 2021 that would include sessions to sensitize member companies, conduct training programs, organize webinars, and invite global speakers for their opinions and guidance to achieve SDGs.
Mr. Siddiqui also paid accolades to Ahsanullah Khan who remained President for 12 years and played a prominent role in promoting the Network. He also informed that M/s Rajby Industries, Interloop Private Ltd and Alchemy who recently became signatories to UNGC will sign the Global Compact Charter. He appreciated the contribution of Deputy Executive Director Dr. Zubair Bawany, Secretary General Nuzhat Jahan and GCNP Team who have worked zealously and tirelessly to upscale GCNP.
Zaki Ahmed Khan, Vice President EFP and Chairperson GCNP Award Committee presented a vote of thanks.
