Ban on CSR activities ‘to deprive poor’

Islamabad

Putting a ban on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities of tobacco companies will further marginalise the poor and underprivileged communities.

This was said by PAIMAN Alumni Trust Executive Director Mossarat Qadeem, in a statement issued to the media.

“Tobacco entities in Pakistan have been providing services over years to the poor in the form of education, healthcare, clean drinking water and livelihood opportunities, especially to women. The ‘Prohibition of Tobacco and Protection of Non-Smokers Act 2016’ bill will cease the community uplift activities which will directly affect the already marginalised communities”, she said in the statement.

PAIMAN Alumni Trust has been working for the last four years with tobacco sector and has benefited around 18,885 poor and marginalised people in health, education and women economic empowerment. “Ban on CSR activities will deprive the poor communities who have been benefiting for years from Tobacco Sector interventions in Pakistan,” she added.