The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) launched the book “Interviews: Stories of Resilience and Reconstruction after the 2022 Floods” compiled by Akhuwat Foundation. The book features over a hundred portraits and testimonies of families affected by the 2022 floods who rebuilt their lives with the support of Akhuwat Foundation.
The launch event featured a keynote address by Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, former Minister for Information and Broadcasting, and remarks by Akhuwat Founder Dr. Muhammad Amjad Saqib. The panel discussion, led by Dr. Neelam Nigar, Director, Center for Strategic Perspectives (CSP), ISSI, was moderated by Dr. Muhammad Khalid Riaz, Chairman, Human Development Foundation; Ambassador Seema Elahi Baloch, former Ambassador of Pakistan to Poland; Ms. Kiran Afzal, Senior Private Sector Specialist, World Bank; Mr. Azhar Hamid, Global President, Akhuwat Foundation. and Dr. Abid Saliri, Executive Director, Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI).
In his welcoming remarks, Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, DGISSI noted key highlights of Dr. Amjad Saqib’s professional life and sustainable initiatives in poverty alleviation, women’s empowerment, and education and healthcare. He praised the book’s core concept – brotherhood, which reflects the selfless reception of refugees by Ansar, an Islamic principle of solidarity. He praised Dr. Saqib’s extraordinary legacy as the founder of the Akhuwat Foundation, a vision that embodies brotherhood.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood noted that the book not only documents acts of resilience but also emphasizes the importance of compassion, inclusion, and sustainability in humanitarian efforts. It highlights the transformative role of grassroots initiatives in post-disaster reconstruction. He stressed the need for collaborative efforts across sectors and informed the audience of ISSI’s commitment to facilitating informed decision-making and integrated responses to future climate crises.
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Ambassador Sohail Mahmood recommended that Pakistan’s humanitarian efforts should be aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to ensure long-term sustainability.
Dr. Amjad Saqib shared a story of a tearful meeting 25 years ago with a woman who had refused charity, which inspired Akhuwat’s vision of empowering with dignity. Akhuwat’s core principle is that those who have should befriend those who have not, share compassion and practice giving. Dr. Amjad Saqib noted that Akhuwat has helped over 6 million families, disbursing loans worth US$1.5 billion with a 99.9% recovery rate, reflecting the honesty of the Pakistani people.
Akhuwat employs two strategies: offering small, interest-free loans and free higher education. He concluded that Akhuwat’s mission revolves around poverty alleviation through interest-free microfinance and envisions the development of a society that ensures respect and dignity for every individual.
In his keynote address, Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed praised Dr. Amjad Saqib and acknowledged him as an important role model for Pakistan. The principle of Akhuwat has a strong moral and religious dimension for society. He added that Dr. Saqib has three unique qualities: He is a giver who restores hope. He brings out the best in both the haves and the have-nots, and he turns vicious cycles into good ones.
His compassion for the underprivileged, and commitment to education, illuminate the way forward. Referring to resilience, he noted the situation in Gaza and the resilience of Kashmiris, who demonstrate trust among Pakistanis. He expressed his desire to award Dr. Saqib the Nobel Prize.
During the panel discussion, Dr. Abid Saliri emphasized the role of brotherhood as a vehicle for support and solidarity that provides hope in times of despair. He affirmed the book’s testament to brotherhood that it is directly linked to sustainable development, inclusion, social justice, shared prosperity, and collective responsibility as highlighted in the SDGs, which aim to ‘leave no one behind’.
He stressed that Pakistan should not suffer the consequences of a climate crisis that it did not create. He recommended documenting and compiling the impact of initiatives like Akhuwat to make a strong case for climate financing.
Mr. Azhar Hamid emphasized his responsibility to build credibility for Akhuwat Foundation, highlighting its adherence to core Islamic principles, and mentioning the positive feedback received from borrowers. He highlighted the measurable impact of Akhuwat Foundation. Mr. Hamid noted that Ehsan is involved in humanity and Akhuwat has expanded its initiatives to Africa by sharing its best practices, and emphasized that organizations like Akhuwat are founded on honesty and charity.
Ambassador Seema Elahi Baloch explained how Akhuwat empowers its beneficiaries with compassion, highlighting the foundation’s women empowerment initiatives. Drawing from the stories in the book, she emphasized the immense psychological trauma experienced by vulnerable communities. Ambassador Seema discussed the collaboration, future research, disaster preparedness and mitigation efforts of affected communities and recommended the implementation of gender-sensitive measures.
Dr. Muhammad Khalid Riaz emphasized that the international community has embraced the concept of fraternity through North-South partnerships. He recommended the recognition of leaders in poverty alleviation and reduction and the development of a consultative platform to address social issues that would ensure education for every child and eradicate hunger.
Ms. Kiran Afzal highlighted the lack of local planning related to natural disasters and recommended proactive and sensible local planning, seeking innovative solutions based on tech, regenerating communities for long-term outcomes, and finding local solutions.
Earlier, Dr. Talat Shabbir, Director, China Pakistan Study Center, ISSI, provided the context for the event and highlighted the important link between solidarity and resilience of flood-affected people. Dr. Neelam Nagar said that the book provides valuable guidelines for policymakers on how grassroots and community initiatives can play a transformative role.
