‘Social work sector needs professional approach’

KARACHI:

The social work culture in Pakistan lacks professionalism and besides the relevant government bodies, there are very few non-government organisations and individuals working for the betterment of society, University of Karachi Acting Vice Chancellor Justice (Retd) Hasan Feroz on Wednesday.

“Our socio-economic problems are increasing day by day due to various reasons and limited opportunities are available to address them. This is a fact that governments cannot resolve such issues alone, and the private sector, NGOs, and philanthropists duly share the burden,” he said.

He was addressing a seminar on the Role of NGOs in Professional Social Work Practice, organised by the KU Department of Social Work at the Chinese Teachers’ Memorial Auditorium.

Feroz mentioned that corruption and favouritism have destroyed the moral values. The families of the prisoners have to pay bribes in jail to avoid torture and misbehaviors. The payments of bribes start from the jail’s main gate till the release of the prisoner.

Meanwhile, a well-known social worker, Ansar Barni, said, “we should not be discouraged by society’s behaviour and continue our work.” He told the participants that he got released many prisoners who did not even know for what crime they were being punished.

Barni mentioned that to date they were fighting cases for about 350 women who got married in Illegally Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and somehow got stuck there and were unable to come back to their homes.

Another speaker, Faisal Edhi of Edhi Foundation said that we should continue our efforts to lift people out of despair and create hope among them. He said that as a nation we should all participate in social work to help the poor and needy people of the society.

“When we dedicate our lives to achieving a greater goal, comforts and conveniences lose their importance.”

On this occasion, the General Secretary of Jafriya Disaster Cell Syed Zafar Abbas informed the participants about the welfare works of the JDC and especially the establishment of dialysis centers at different places.

Another speaker and renowned social activist Saram Barni said that more than helping people on the streets, there is a need to keep them safe in their homes.

Saylani Trust Chairman Maulana Bashir Farooqi stressed on promoting social services in view of the ground realities. He urged the audience to participate in welfare work to resolve social issues.

The KU Chairperson Department of Social Work Dr. Muhammad Nadeem Ullah, Dr. Saima Rauf, and other speakers also spoke on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 26^th2023.