All Stakeholders Need to Join Hands to Improve Quality of Life in Pakistan.

All Stakeholders Need to Join Hands to Improve Quality of Life in Pakistan.

Future socio-economic well being can only be ensured if business entities, government institutions, media and communities work towards creating shared values.

Islamabad, PK – 14 March 2015 - Creating value for the citizens by engaging communities in the process of business, transparency and accountability was discussed today at a roundtable dialogue at Marriott Hotel in Islamabad organized by AGAHI. The roundtable discussion on how organizations can create value for their stakeholders focused on the future of corporate social responsibility and public relations in Pakistan. The dialogue brought together the journalists’ community and the corporate sector to explore the scope of Creating Shared Value (CSV) in promoting socio-cultural norms, protection of socio-geographic environment and ethic-driven business practices, sharing government responsibilities, and ensuring transparency in managerial practices in Pakistan. The speakers and the participants shared the challenges their organizations faced ensuring the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Public Relations (PR) vision while meeting the profit bottom line.

Puruesh Chaudhary, Founder & President AGAHI, said that the dynamics within which the businesses are operating in are evolving at an incredible pace; drivers of change being innovation and technology. The philosophy that is re-determining the functions of communications for socio-economic and improvements in human condition is a collective responsibility of all stakeholders. She further added that, “creating shared value as a separate category for the Agahi Awards - Beyond 2015 is a reason to highlight journalistic efforts for assembling information and knowledge on corporate social responsibility, social entrepreneurship, dignity, interfaith, and media ethics.” 

All profitable businesses are conducted in an environment, which impacts the entire value chain processes, caring for customers and other stakeholders is a good business practice, said Waheed Hamid, Director Communications at Fauji Fertilizers Company Limited (FFC). He further said, collaboration between public and private businesses could do wonders for the community. Public Relations is no more a relationship enhancement exercise, it is more of an understanding of others point of view and realigning business strategy for mutual gains for not only the businesses but also for the society they operate in. 

Corporate social responsibility (CSR), is also called referred to as corporate conscience, corporate citizenship or sustainable responsible business. This is a form of corporate self-regulation integrated into a business model. CSR policy functions as a self-regulatory mechanism whereby a business monitors and ensures its active compliance with the spirit of the law, ethical standards and international norms.

Creating shared value (CSV) is a business concept first introduced by Prof. Michael E. Porter, a leading authority on competitive strategy and head of the Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness at Harvard Business School, and Mark R. Kramer, Kennedy School at Harvard University and co-founder of FSG.

"The future prosperity for society lies in creating common shared values for all stakeholders collectively, businesses and government need to cater and ensure socio-economic dividends for their respective communities and clientele", said Amir Jahangir, Young Global Leader World Economic Forum.

Senior strategic communication expert, Hina Akhtar said that, many see CSR as a PR tool but if you look at it from a broader perspective, CSR is a commitment to operate as a responsible business entity, whereas a business’s primary objective is to gain financial profits, a responsible organization measures its success beyond these financial gains.

Colonel (R) Waheed Hamid, Director Communications Fauji Fertilizers Company (LTD), Hina Akhtar, Chief Executive Officer, Gold String Communications, Imran Sheikh, Educationist, Executive Vice President JS Bank, Dr. Ansir Ali Rajput Educationist and Amir Jahangir, Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum shared their views the benefits and challenges of engaging communities and other stakeholders for good business practices. A large number of business and economic journalists also attended the round table discussion.


AGAHI is a not for profit organization established in Islamabad in 2011 under the Society Registration Act 1860. Its primary function is to create non-paid communication strategies, content intelligence structures, development collateral and tools for diverse sectors and organizations. AGAHI encourages and advises individuals and institutions in pursuing and supporting initiatives to improve the state of development in Pakistan. It works on developmental frameworks facilitating information and knowledge sharing platforms on understanding challenges in global perspective. Its research work mainly focuses on national and international security, ICT, competitiveness, human capital development, and governance. AGAHI in association with several leading national and international partners focuses on creating shared spaces for interactive learning, collaborative thinking, and knowledge sharing. AGAHI is at the forefront of devising foresight research and future scenarios work in Pakistan.

This year AGAHI, celebrates AGAHI AWARDS – Beyond 2015 by recognizing best reporting practices on categories such as: Business & Economy (Competitiveness), Creating Shared Value, Disaster and Catastrophe, Education, Gender, Health, Youth Empowerment, Human Rights, Infotainment, Innovation Journalism, Judiciary, Millennium Development Goals, Journalism for Peace, Photo Journalism, Entrepreneurship, Sports, Energy, Water, Agriculture, Environment, Foreign Policy, Foresight and Futures. businesses are operating in are evolving at an incredible pace; drivers of change being innovation and technology. The philosophy that is re-determining the functions of communications for socio-economic and improvements in human condition is a collective responsibility of all stakeholders. She further added that, “creating shared value as a separate category for the Agahi Awards - Beyond 2015 is a reason to highlight journalistic efforts for assembling information and knowledge on corporate social responsibility, social entrepreneurship, dignity, interfaith, and media ethics.”

AllWorld Network announces Pakistan Fast Growth 25 winners

The Pakistan Fast Growth 25 companies have grown an average of 81% a year for the past three years.  They paint Pakistan in a new light, suggesting that Pakistan is a strong country for entrepreneurship

The AllWorld Network announced in Pakistan and world-wide the winners of the Pakistan Fast Growth 25, a ranking of fast growth entrepreneurial companies.  The Pakistan Fast Growth 25 is a program of AllWorld Network in partnership with Harvard Business School Professor Michael Porter and was launched in collaboration with JS Bank Limited.  Joining the Pakistan 25 were Nominating Partners FPCCI, Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce; Industry, TiE, P@sha and Knowledge Partner Mishal (Pvt.) Ltd. 


As a group, the Pakistan 25 broke AllWorld records for high growth of 8 countries in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.  The companies who made the Pakistan 25 posted a 81% annual growth rate between 2007 and 2009 with an average size of 400 employees per company, and since inception they have created 12,000 jobs.  On average the entrepreneurs are 41 years old, with a number having founded other successful companies.  Leading the Pakistan 25 growth rankings are companies in High-Tech and Telecommunications, and Agriculture and Textiles.  Many of these rising Pakistan 25 companies are not just serving local markets, but are competing globally. 

“These results despite all odds project the force and sheer passion of these vibrant business leaders. At JS Bank, we have always supported entrepreneurs and have taken initiatives that create an environment friendlier for within the entrepreneurship space. We are pleased to see our partnership with Allworld bring to frontline such amazing success stories of these compelling entrepreneurs.” Kalim ur Rehman, President JS Bank.

Added Malik Ahmad Jalal, AllWorld’s Director of the Pakistan 25 “Pakistani entrepreneurs have flourished in spite of some of the most restricting economic and security environments in the world. These dynamic men and women are a great resource and the best bet for Pakistan’s future.  We are honored that US Ambassador Cameron Munter will host the Awards Celebration for the winners at his residence on 24 January 2011.  Also joining Ambassador Munter to recognize the winners will be Pakistan Minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and other VIPS.” 

In August all private companies from any part of the country was invited to apply.  Close to 100 companies competed for a spot on the Pakistan 25.  Only the fastest growing private companies make the list, and each company is credentialed by AllWorld based on strenuous international standards.  Applicants much complete a detailed survey of business strategy and operations and provide audited statements or an audit letter to verify revenues.  While only a ranking of 25 companies, 30 companies were credentialed as AllWorld Entrepreneurs.  Twenty 24 companies older the three years old made the ranking and an additional 6 younger companies are Companies to Watch.   Of the 30 companies that made the Pakistan 25, Lahore had the most number with 12 winners and Karachi came in a close second with 10 winners.

The top three companies were founded by a tribal leader, three friends from university, and Pakistani-American from Silicon Valley. Leading the Pakistan 25 is #1 company Exceed (Pvt.) Ltd of Islamabad, with a revenue growth rate of 1,350% between 2007 and 2009.  Exceed was founded by Mr. Sardar Hayaat Muhammed Khan Mandokhel in 2004 when he was 24 years old.  Exceed is  primarily a construction company and is best known for the Saidpur Model Village which Exceed restored as an 18th Century city-museum.  The founder of Exceed, now 30-years old, is also the youngest entrepreneur on the Pakistan 25.

At #2 on the Pakistan 25 is NayaTel, established in 2004 and now with over 500 employees.  After many years in government service and industry, three university friends joined forces to found NayaTel.  NayaTel launched South Asia's first fiber to the home (FTTH)/fiber to the user (FTTU) network in Islamabad in 2006. This state of the art fiber wiring now serves 6,000 home and company users, and is key to providing the country’s capital city with a robust telecom infrastructure. 

At #3 on the Pakistan 25 is Arpatech, which like the top two winners was also established in 2004.  Arpatech was founded by Pakistani-American Jamal Khan who studied in the US and worked for five years with a leading Silicon Valley technology firm.  He established Arpatech which now employs a team of 70 in Pakistan and is one of the most successful software houses serving companies all over the world with services from application development to network security.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL LIST OF THE PAKISTAN 25.

As a group, the Pakistan 25 report their major constraint to growth is finding qualified manager and employees.  This is the number one constraint experienced by growth companies the world over.  The second major constraint to growth is Government Red Tape.

AllWorld was co-founded by Deirdre Coyle, Anne Habiby and Porter.  Professor Porter was described by the Times of London as the world’s “most influential management guru” and is widely regarded at the foremost authority on company and country competitiveness.   “The Pakistan 25 companies, led by dynamic men and women, represent the leading edge of a new approach to Pakistan’s competitiveness” says Porter. As AllWorld Entrepreneurs, the Pakistan 25 will have the opportunity to network with other AllWorld winners from the Middle East, Asia and Africa and the top winners of the Pakistan 25|100 are invited to the AllWorld Summit at Harvard University in November 2011.

AllWorld is also launching the Pakistan 100, and companies are invited to apply at AllWorldLive.com at the Asia 500 section.  AllWorld aims to advance ALL the growth entrepreneurs of the emerging world, and building the largest entrepreneurship information system in the world.

Pakistan leads in Entrepreneurship indicators

The Pakistan Fast Growth 25 companies have grown an average of 81% a year for the past three years and created 12,000 jobs since inception. They represent Leading Indicators of Pakistan’s economic potential.

AllWorld Network and JS Bank created “The Pakistan Fast Growth 25” offering the first snapshot of how Pakistan's rising non-listed companies are generating growth. JS Bank is the host organization and sponsor for the Pakistan 25, partnering with AllWorld Network of the United States. 

Mr. Malik Ahmad Jalal, Director Pakistan Fast Growth 25 shared the Data on Pakistan 25, which was also represented by Sarmad Awan and Nabeela Darugar from JS Bank. Amir Jahangir, CEO Mishal Pakistan and Alberto Rodriguez the Press Attaché to the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad also attended the media event. 

Notwithstanding the challenging political and economic context, Pakistan is home to growing private companies creating a significant number of competitive jobs.   Leading the Pakistan 25 growth rankings are companies in High-Tech and Telecommunications, and Agriculture and Mining. Many of these rising Pakistan 25 companies are not just serving local markets, but are competing globally.

As a group, the Pakistan 25 broke AllWorld records for entrepreneurial intensity.  From the August announcement of the application process by JS Bank for the Pakistan 25, AllWorld received the most number of qualified applications in the shortest amount of time.  The top performers who made the Pakistan 25 posted a blistering 81% annual growth rate between 2007 and 2009 with an average size of 350 employees per company, and since inception they created 12,000 jobs. The Pakistan Fast Growth Companies have been successful in local markets but also globally competitive, as average 35% of their revenues are derived from international markets.

Contrary to what many might assume, the Pakistan 25 have grown by investing in their employees providing a significant amount of on-the-job training, giving financial bonuses for performance to incentivize employees, and offering other benefits such as flexible work schedules.  The combination of application numbers, growth rates and job generated exceed those of the eight AllWorld country rankings in the Middle East, Asia and Africa.   These results demonstrate that Pakistan has many of the conditions of a leading entrepreneurial economy.

The Pakistan 25 report their major constraint to growth is finding qualified manager and employees.  This is the number one growth constraint experienced universally by growth companies, and there is an opportunity for job training programs and HR recruiting firms to serve the specific needs of these companies.  Perhaps reflecting the unique context of Pakistan, the second major constraint to growth is Government Red Tape, which is not a top constraint reported by the entrepreneurs from other AllWorld programs.      

Companies competed for a spot on the Pakistan 25 based on strenuous international standards including completing a detailed survey of business strategy and operations and providing audited statements or an audit letter to verify revenues. The Pakistan 25 is divided into 24 Ranked Companies and 6 Companies to Watch. The 24 Ranked Companies are at least three years old and meet AllWorld’s international criteria of size, age and performance, and are ranked based on their sales growth between 2007 and 2009. There are 6 Companies-to-Watch – companies that show all the characteristics of a fast growth company but are too small or too young. These are companies we believe will become future contenders. 

The winner of the Pakistan 25 will be revealed in early 2011.  The winners have been notified of their status, but do not know their place on the ranking.  The Pakistan 25 will be expanded in 2011 into an annual Pakistan 100.

-        The AW Approach: Our approach for creating jobs is to identify and vet growth entrepreneurs in developing countries and put them on the global radar screen. This way capital, talent and business opportunities come to them and they can grow to large scale.

-           Why SMEs? Our experience and research has shown that governments of developing countries could not create additional jobs and large corporate sector is shrinking too and cannot offer the growth potential. Therefore, any employment creation will have to come from small and growing enterprises in the developing countries.

-         One Global Standard: Since the companies are selected by the same criteria used for ranking the Inc. 500, the world knows that a Pakistan Fast Growth 25 winner is a global standard entrepreneur who would qualify for Inc. 500, if the company was based in the United States. This results in attracting investors and customer interest. 

-        “The Pakistan Fast Growth 25 companies, led by dynamic men and women, represent a new future of the country”, Anne Habiby and Deirdre Coyle, Founder of AllWorld Network

-       “Beyond growth percentages and rankings, Pakistan Fast Growth 25 will showcase country’s top entrepreneurs and provide an alternate narrative of the country as talented and entrepreneurially infused nation. The evidence of budding entrepreneurship will send out the message that in spite of all the challenges, Pakistan is open for business.” Malik Ahmad Jalal, Director of Pakistan Fast Growth 25

-       “These numbers despite all odds project the force and sheer passion of vibrant business leaders by which their companies have grown under a short-span of three years. AllWorld Network has done a commendable job in recognizing their efforts. At JS Bank, we have always supported entrepreneurs and have taken initiatives that create an environment friendlier for within the entrepreneurship space. We are pleased to see our partnership with Allworld bring to frontline such amazing success stories of these compelling entrepreneurs.” Kalim ur Rehman, President JS Bank

-       “The solution to Pakistan’s economic challenges lies not in foreign lands, but in the entrepreneurial talent of its own citizens. Pakistani entrepreneurs have flourished in spite of some of the most restricting economic and security environments in the world. The Pakistan Fast Growth 25 is recognition of the spirit of these dynamic men and women who are a great resource and the best bet for Pakistan’s future.” Malik Ahmad Jalal, Director of Pakistan Fast Growth 25