Under a new initiative aimed at strengthening civil society organisations in Pakistan, Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy (PCP) with the support of the World Bank, held a focused orientation workshop for NPOs of Lahore and adjoining areas on its NPO Certification Programme on Tuesday. The session held at one of PCP certified NPO Shalamar Hospital and was presided over by Dr. Rashid Ahmed Chief Executive Officer of Shalamar Hospital. Mr. Imran Kazmi Director DOT, Lahore Dr. Muhammad Amjad Saqib Chief Executive, Akhuwat also spoke at the occasion. The session was largely attended by NPOs. This effort of PCP is expected to go a long way in inculcating best practice standards in the nonprofit sector.
Dr. Rashid and Dr Amjad, while appreciating PCP’s efforts, shared with the participants their first hand experience of going through the certification process and highlighted the benefits their organisations received. Mr. Kazmi elaborated on the tax benefits and the importance Government of Pakistan and the FBR attaches to PCP certification. The NPO Certification regime supplements Government’s reforms for good governance in nonprofits and FBR’s subsequent tax reforms, he said. The chief guest urged the NPOs to get their organisations certified in view of its multiple benefits. Mr.Asad Programme Officer Certification PCP welcomed the participants and briefed them about the origin, vision, mission and certification programme of PCP.
Talking about the unique and first ever NPO Certification system, Mr Asad Programme Officer, Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy explained: “The Certification regime has met much acceptance at the federal level and is recognised as the single system that reinforces and promotes internal governance, financial transparency and programme delivery standards in nonprofit sector of Pakistan.” This is evident in FBR’s authorization of PCP as a Certification Agency vide SRO no. 1116 (I)/2003 dated December 18, 2003. NPO Certification not only creates sectorwide standards but also promotes government’s agenda of strengthening civil society in terms of good governance, documentation, disclosure, financial transparency, accountability and effective service delivery. Till date, the Centre has granted 157 certificates of good NPO practices against 215 applications. This list is available on http://www.pcp.org.pk. The Centre in 2006 launched a directory of Nonprofit Organisations that maintains good house-keeping practices. This directory, the ‘Gateway to Giving’ contains inspiring stories of success and social service in diverse geographical and sectoral areas across the country. The Centre is currently in the process of updating the directory. The briefing was followed by question and answers sessions.
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About Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy (PCP): PCP, licensed under section 42 of the Companies Ordinance, 1984 as a nonprofit support organisation, is located in Islamabad and is governed by a Board of Directors comprising eminent citizens, business leaders and representatives of civil society organizations. The Centre does not engage in direct philanthropy;
