With Pakistan’s economy so dire that its government can no longer take up social welfare projects, private corporations and businesses are picking up the slack. One such is Malik Riaz, who established the Bahria Dastarkhawan, a social welfare initiative aiming to eradicate hunger through its centres across the country that serve free meals twice a day, every day, to anyone who walks in.
While the international community is focused on dealing with global crises such as viral pandemics and armed conflicts, people in third-world countries face increasingly difficult living conditions. In Pakistan, for instance, poverty has surged by over 5% within just one year, with 40% of the population living below the poverty line.
The World Bank reports that the government of Pakistan is no longer able to undertake social welfare projects. In a scenario like this, where state authorities have lost control over the economy and are failing to meet the basic tenants of the social contract, it falls to private corporations and business organisations to initiate public welfare projects. Malik Riaz, Asia’s largest real estate developer, has set an example that might inspire other Pakistani entrepreneurs to step forward and address the needs of an increasingly low-income population.
Malik Riaz is the founder of Bahria Town, the largest privately held real estate development company in Pakistan. After becoming one of the most successful businessmen in Pakistan, Malik Riaz set a goal to improve the lives of average Pakistanis. The future of Pakistan, according to Riaz, lies in mutual prosperity. He believes that the economic challenges that the country faces are the social responsibility of every wealthy person in Pakistan with the means to help. Through the Bahria Town Foundation, Mr Riaz, alongside his son, Ahmed Ali Riaz, has established numerous programmes focusing on providing healthcare, education, and financial aid to underprivileged communities.
Over the past few years, Pakistan has experienced the worst financial crisis the country has ever faced. Floods inflicted extensive damage, particularly on the agriculture sector, exacerbating the economic situation in the country. This led people in Pakistan to experience difficulties in affording such basic needs as food, clean water, and medications. In 2023, Pakistan was ranked 99th out of 129 nations in a Global Hunger Index report which described its level of hunger as “serious”. Witnessing the struggles of many Pakistanis, Mr Riaz couldn’t stay aside. This is how the Bahria Dastarkhawan initiative was established. Aiming to eradicate hunger, the Bahria Dastarkhawan project has centres across the country that serve free meals twice a day every day and their doors are open to everyone.
One of the workers of the Bahria Dastarkhwan mentioned that the initiative started by providing free meals to just four people, and now this large network is feeding hundreds of thousands of people. There are separate halls for both male and female visitors and each person is treated with warm hospitality. One of the guests, Gul Dad Khan from North Waziristan, said that the free meals helped him save the money he would have otherwise spent on lunch every day. Now Gul Dad Khan can spend his savings on other necessities that he and his family need. “I bought meals from the canteen for two days, but then I ran out of money. Then someone told me about a free meal at Bahria Dastarkhwan and now I am getting free lunch and dinner from there which is a huge relief,” said Gul Dad.
With such a high level of hunger and poverty, nowadays there are more and more programmes that serve free meals in Pakistan. However, Malik Riaz admits that Dastarkhwan as well as initiatives of other philanthropists and NGOs recognise their limitations. While contributors invest in the social welfare of the Pakistani population, there is an expectation that the government will soon be able to support its citizens on a decent level.
Although Pakistan is only responsible for 0.3% of global emissions, the country is disproportionately and adversely affected by climate change through increased variability and extremes in weather. As a result, Pakistan has experienced a high incidence of severe and deadly floods in recent decades. Thousands of people who survived these climate catastrophes were left without homes, and access to food and water. “As we have never abandoned our Pakistanis alone in any hard time, we will continue to stand by them,” says Ahmed Ali Riaz when explaining about rescue teams organised under one of Riaz’s charity programmes.
In times of floods, earthquakes, fire, or any other devastating circumstances, rescue teams are the first to reach the harmed areas to give medical, financial, and food assistance. These teams have been assigned special tasks such as the earthquake of 2005, floods in 2010 and 2014, draught in Thar, the collapse of Margalla Tower, the fire at Marriott Hotel as well as at the Christian community, and many more.
During the devastating flood in 2022, humanitarian aid was required for an estimated 20.6 million people, 9.6 million of whom were children. The Pakistani government designated more than 94 districts as “calamity-affected”. Several organisations in Pakistan and from abroad mobilised their efforts to save as many people as possible. Bahria Town management launched flood relief operations in the affected regions and dispatched specialised relief teams. The rescuers supplied the flood victims with food, medicine, clothes, and shelter. During such challenging times, support from non-governmental entities who are capable of assisting is crucial.
Looking at the Riaz family’s initiatives, it is clear that besides the business realm, Malik Riaz and his son, Ahmed Ali Riaz, remain committed to philanthropy and social development initiatives. Through their diverse efforts, they transform the power of social responsibility, promoting a culture of empathy and inclusiveness across Pakistan, exhibiting how the private sector can step up to the plate and play a role in addressing humanitarian issues when the government either cannot or won’t. Despite their strong dedication to charity activities, Riaz’s programmes are still limited and unable to help all the people in Pakistan. Therefore, it is important for the Pakistani government to continue reshaping the economy and boosting a positive change in social welfare. With the implementation of new governmental programmes and a strategic vision, Pakistan has every chance to improve its economic situation.
About the Author
Nicholas Dempsie is a London-based freelance journalist. His areas of professional interest include innovations and business. With a background in marketing and communication, Nicholas brings a unique perspective to his reporting.
