Former SBP Advisor Calls for Permanent Building and Greater Corporate Social Responsibility Support

KARACHI: Zafar Shaikh visited Aaghosh Home Trust and praised the organization’s humanitarian efforts for shelterless women and differently abled orphan girls, while urging Pakistan’s corporate sector to actively support the welfare initiative.

Upon arrival, Zafar Shaikh was welcomed by Shugafta Saba, Muhammad Jazib and Trustee Manzar Naqvi, who briefed him about the Trust’s mission, history and ongoing welfare activities.

During the visit, officials informed him that Aaghosh Home Trust has been serving vulnerable women and differently abled orphan girls for the past 25 years by providing shelter, care, protection and emotional support in a safe and dignified environment.

Zafar Shaikh toured different sections of the facility and met residents living at the home. He reviewed the services being provided, including accommodation, food, healthcare and emotional support, while residents offered prayers for his health and success.

Speaking on the occasion, Zafar Shaikh described support for shelterless women and orphan girls as one of society’s noblest responsibilities. He said organizations like Aaghosh Home Trust deserved strong backing from philanthropists, industrialists, banks, chambers of commerce and welfare-minded citizens.

He emphasized that the residents were not merely beneficiaries but “mothers, sisters and daughters of the nation” who deserved respect, protection and long-term institutional care.

Zafar Shaikh also appealed to the corporate sector to adopt welfare initiatives like Aaghosh Home Trust as part of their corporate social responsibility programs. He particularly stressed the urgent need for the Trust to acquire its own permanent building, noting that it currently operates from a rented premises.

“A permanent home would provide greater stability, dignity and security to the residents while enabling the Trust to expand its services in a more organized and sustainable manner,” he said.

President Shugafta Saba thanked Zafar Shaikh for visiting the Trust and appreciating its humanitarian services despite limited resources.

Meanwhile, Secretary General Muhammad Jazib highlighted challenges including rising operational costs, rent expenses and increasing medical and food-related needs, stressing that continued public and corporate support was essential for sustaining and expanding the Trust’s welfare services.