May 21, 2021: National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) in line with its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) drive of “Power with Prosperity” hosted a webinar in collaboration with Akhuwat Foundation.
The main objective of the webinar was to facilitate partnership between power companies and social development organizations to help in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), said a press release issued here Friday.
The webinar was attended by a large number of representatives from power sector entities as well as Chairman NEPRA, Tauseef H. Farooqi, Member NEPRA, Rehmatullah Baloch and other NEPRA Professionals
Consultant CSR, Huma Zafar hosted the webinar and explained the purpose behind the drive of “Power with Prosperity” and the objective to develop local communities while making power plants presence more sustainable and impactful.
Chairman NEPRA, Tauseef H. Farooqi in his opening remarks highlighted the importance of CSR drive for uplifting the underprivileged sections of the society.
He added that developing local communities through CSR programs is the prime responsibility of power companies under multiple national and international laws and standards.
He envisioned a grading and ranking system for the licensees on account of CSR drive. Moreover, he encouraged the stakeholders to empower the marginalized communities.
Chairman Akhuwat Foundation, Dr. Amjad Saqib presented a detailed presentation about various initiatives and programs of Akhuwat Foundation including the Islamic Microfinance interest free loans to the unemployed to start their businesses, the Education Services, Health Services, Clothing Bank, Food Services & Transgender Support Program.
He further proposed programs like installing solar panels at homes on subsidized rates, installing RO plants to provide access to clean drinking water and a revolving fund for solar powered tube wells.
He also presented a CSR proposal to the power companies and NEPRA for consideration as a way forward to achieve the collective goal of bringing power with prosperity.
In the end, a detailed questions-answers session was held and upon licensees’ request, it was concluded to develop a Power with Prosperity Fund working under Akhuwat Foundation in direct collaboration with power companies through which all efforts can be streamlined in a more cohesive manner to initiate mega CSR projects to uplift the underprivileged communities.
In replying to the queries, Chairman NEPRA elaborated categorically, that being a regulator, NEPRA will keep an eye on the developmental projects initiated by its licensees, but will not restrict & bound any of its licensees to invest in any community uplift program.
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