By Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: President Arif Alvi has said that joint efforts are necessary to deal with challenges like unemployment and urged the business community to fulfill its responsibility for the improvement of social sector.
Talking to a delegation of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry which called on the president at Aiwan-e-Sadr here on Wednesday, he said that voluntary services and active involvement of chambers were indispensable to deal with the challenges.
The business community must fulfill its responsibility for the betterment of society, he added.
President Alvi stressed on chambers to encourage women to become future entrepreneurs. More employment opportunities should be created for women and special persons, he continued.
The corporate sector should prioritize the welfare of its workers and environment protection, the president stated. Appreciating the achievements of the banking sector in the last three years, the president said that the chambers should evolve a fast-track mechanism to ensure 20 to 25 percent employment of women in the industrial sector.
President Alvi appreciated the 30 percent representation of women in some banks in the country.
Earlier, President Dr Arif Alvi on Tuesday emphasized for collective efforts to tackle challenges of unemployment, rising stress in society, improving access for differently-abled persons to opportunities, and enhanced female participation in businesses and jobs.
He also underscored the importance of volunteerism and active involvement of the chambers, banking sector, and civil society to overcome the socio-economic challenges in the meeting with a delegation of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).
The president urged the business community to play a pivotal role in advancing social sectors and fulfilling their corporate social responsibility by helping those in need. The collaborative endeavours by the public and private sectors could bring about a positive transformation in people’s lives, particularly in the realm of social initiatives, he added.
The president stressed for the creation of an inclusive society that actively promoted female participation in socio-economic activities. He called upon the KCCI members to inspire and support women in becoming future entrepreneurs, fostering confidence and empowerment among them.
He also emphasized the importance of human development and advised the business community to create more employment opportunities for women and persons with disabilities.
President Alvi acknowledged the positive impact of information technology on facilitating bank account opening and financial transactions for women. He emphasized the business community’s role in providing a conducive atmosphere for women at workplace.
He also called on the corporate sector to prioritize the welfare of workers and environmental protection, ensuring a better world for future generations.
Regarding the performance of the banking sector, President Alvi praised its achievements over the past three years. He urged the chambers to develop fast-track mechanisms to ensure quantifiable performance, with a specific goal of achieving 20 to 25% female employment within the industry.
He commended some banks in the country for achieving a remarkable 30% female employment.
The president highlighted that Pakistan had great potential with abundant natural and human resources, but there was need to provide quality education and skills to harness the competitiveness of the industrial and business sectors.
He urged the KCCI members to engage with the government and civil society to find solutions for the challenges faced by them in carrying out corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities.
He asked for regular meetings between KCCI and architects to ensure the creation of accessible facilities such as ramps in hospitals, shopping plazas, and industries for differently-abled individuals.
