President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi has said that the businesses in Pakistanshould do philanthropy while being driven by one of the fundamental principles of Islam making it binding upon the rich people to do charitable spending for well-being of the have-nots in the society to extricate them from the exploitative cycle of poverty. The President stated this on while speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the 11thInternational CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Summit and Awards-2019 organized by the National Forum for Environment and Health (NFEH). “Our religion makes it binding upon the rich people to do the CSR work as the concept of Islam could not be completed without ensuring social service and social justice for the destitute people,” said the President in his address at the ceremony. Azad Kashmir President Sardar Masood Khan has said that three tourism corridors are currently being built in Azad Kashmir area in order to properly promote economy of the AJK that would also be beneficial for socio-economic needs of its people facing poverty. “These three corridors will not only properly develop tourism industry of Azad Kashmir but will also be helpful in attracting foreign tourists to the area,” said Mr. Masood Khan. He on the occasion conferred awards to over 55 companies for their commendable performance in the arena of CSR during last one year. Federal Minister for Defence Production Zobaida Jalal and German Ambassador Martin Kobler also spoke on the occasion. NFEH President Naeem Qureshi said that CSR Summit and Awards were being regularly done on an annual basis to encourage and appreciate excellent social work by the Pakistani corporate sector while setting an example to be followed by the other concerned sections of the society. He urged the President of Pakistan to institute a civil award in the country to be conferred on a regular basis upon the NGOs or corporate sector involved in exemplary social work inPakistan. Some 57 leading national and international companies received awards for their commendable performance in 30 different categories of Corporate Social Responsibility during the past one year. Companies selected for outstanding CSR activities are Archroma Pakistan Limited, Airwaves Media Pvt Ltd, Atlas Honda Limited, BAHRIA FOUNDATION, BERGER PAINTS PAKISTAN LIMITED, Bestway Cement Ltd, Burhan Gas, CHINA SOUTH EAST ASIA INVESTMENT LIMITED, Crown Group, Dewan Cement Limited, DP World Karachi, Dr. Essa Laboratory & Diagnostic Centre, EGO BAGS, EMC Waste Management Company Pvt Ltd, Engro Foods Limited, Engro Foundation, FATIMA FERTILIZER COMPANY LTD, Fauji Cement Company Ltd, FFC Energy Limited, HAMDARD Pakistan, Hashoo Foundation, INDUS MOTOR COMPANY, Javedan Corporation, K-Electric, Kohat Cement Company Limited, Kohinoor Maple Leaf Group, KoldKraft Refrigerator Pvt Ltd, Liberty Mills, Lucky Tex Pakistan (Pvt.) Limited, MADINAH FOUNDATION, MADINAH GROUP OF INDUSTRIES, Mari Petroleum Company Limited,Mariam Ali Mohammad Tabba Foundation, Mehmood Trust – Islamabad, Mughal Iron & Steel Industries Limited, National Bank of Pakistan, NESTLE PAKISTAN, National Institute of Cardio Vascular Diseases, Oil and Gas Development Company, Pak-Arab Refinery Limited, Pakistan Cables Limited, Patel Hospital, PharmEvo, PHILIP MORRIS PAKISTAN LTD, Premier Cables Pvt Ltd, ROOTS INTERENATIONAL SCHOOL, Roots School System, Sadaqat Limited, Sicpa Inks Pakistan (Pvt.) Limited, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited, Sui Southern Gas Company Limited, TARA GROUP Pakistan, Thar Foundation, THE Hub Power Company Limited, The SEARLECompany Limited, Treet Corporation Limited & Yunus Textile Mills Limited. Published in Daily Times, February 5th 2019.