Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) means choosing to put people and the planet first by operating in a way that is economically, socially and environmentally sustainable. It can take many different forms — from eco-friendly office practices to charitable voluntary giving. CSR is about giving back and helping find solutions to everyday issues – locally, nationally and globally. CSR boosts employee morale and loyalty towards the organization. In recent years, it has become important for employees to have not just standard benefits, such as a good salary and health benefits, but also welfare-oriented activities such as comfortable accommodation, nearby schooling for their children, transportation facility, club, sports and recreational facilities. He expects knowledge and career building opportunities as well. Same principle is kept in mind and strictly adhered to at Almoiz Group of companies where all such facilities are provided to its staff and employees in all its plant areas. When creating and/or ramping up a CSR strategy, there are three pillars to consider: clients, employees and community. Embracing socially responsible policies helps a company burnish its image and cultivate positive brand recognition by demonstrating that it is compassionate and trustworthy. By building client loyalty, CSR helps companies achieve increased profitability and long-term financial success. Not only does CSR boost brand recognition and help improve a company’s reputation, but it also helps improve a company’s portrayal in the media. Making CSR a priority creates a positive work environment that inspires and unites employees. It supports recruitment, retention and employee satisfaction. Good CSR tends to attract employees who are eager to make a difference in the world. Having a sense of pride in the company they work for creates engaged workers who are happy in their jobs and committed to their employers. Instituting a corporate culture that promotes work-life balance and employee wellbeing is also part of CSR. Marriage grant scheme, Hajj scheme and Food relief during Covid19 for staff and workers are some of the welfare projects practiced at Almoiz on permanent basis. When creating and/or ramping up a CSR strategy, there are three pillars to consider: clients, employees and community. Embracing socially responsible policies helps a company burnish its image and cultivate positive brand recognition by demonstrating that it is compassionate and trustworthy. By building client loyalty, CSR helps companies achieve increased profitability and long-term financial success. Not only does CSR boost brand recognition and help improve a company’s reputation, but it also helps improve a company’s portrayal in the media The third pillar of CSR is community welfare. Businesses have a role to play in making local communities and the planet a cleaner and healthier place to live. The Earth is the only life support system we have, and companies should be passionate about protecting it by applying green thinking to every decision. Every business, no matter the size, can have a positive impact on the environment by implementing green practices and procedures designed to address climate change. At Almoiz, issues relating to untreated waste water and smoke are addressed in an effective manner. Every year, all mills plants thousands of new trees and saplings as part of monsoon plantation to keep the environment green and healthy. During COVID-19, Almoiz distributed food ration bags with total value of Rs. 50 million to more than 25,000 deserving families residing in the vicinity of our production plants. In addition, Almoiz Group also donated Rs. 50 million to the PM COVID Relief Fund to help Government limit spread of this virus. PPEs were also donated to all the district hospitals nearby our mills. Besides the pandemic, the Group supported Government initiatives for nation building such as PM Dam fund, managing the IDP crisis etc. Almoiz has a glowing track record in the human resource development as well through education which includes annual 4 scholarships at LUMs apart from sponsoring Engineering laboratory at NUMAL University. The Group has adopted 40 government schools in remote areas of DI Khan for upgradation of infrastructure and skill development of teachers in addition to providing building and support to a state of the art Government Girls School in Layyah. Almoiz also runs its own middle level school for its workers and staff children at DI Khan mill and similar schools are planned for remaining four mills. The list is long of various efforts to promote education in the backward areas of these districts. In health sector, the company is among one of the oldest regular donors of Shaukat Khanum Hospital spanning over 30 years. Similarly, Agha Khan Hospital Karachi is a beneficiary of Almoiz in terms of heart surgeries of children with CHD. The company is a key sponsor of Bakhtawar Memorial Hospital Multan for the treatment of the needy. Group also plans to have basic health units and trauma centres in all its mills premises with round the clock doctors and ambulances. For provision of clean drinking water facility to the rural population, a large water filtration plant has also been installed at Layyah. Some 57 leading national and international companies received awards from the President of Pakistan for their commendable performance in 30 different categories of Corporate Social Responsibility during the past one year in February 2009. Almoiz group has conceived a multifaceted long-term CSR plan spread over three years to provide state of the art housing, transportation, education, health, environment protection and welfare oriented facilities to its staff, workers and the community at large. This would include construction of schools, basic health units/ trauma centres with round the clock doctors and nurses supported by ambulances in each of its plants, transportation facilities for its staff, workers and their families, housing facilities in each of its units with sports and recreational facilities. A technical and vocational training institute for skill development in collaboration with TEVTA Punjab, food relief package, marriage and haj grants ae some other CSR projects being implemented by Almoiz Group. The writer is Vice President Corporate, Communications & Corporate Social Responsibility at Almoiz group and Thal Industries