Petarian Foundation

HISTORY OF THE PETARIAN FOUNDATION

The following is a concept paper for the development of a Petarian Foundation. This was presented to the Managing Committee of the Petarian Association on February 2, 1999 at the Services Mess, Karachi. All Petarians are requested to send their thoughts on this subject so that we may eventually develop a healthy foundation for the benefit of Petarians and our beloved country.

VISION STATEMENT

To aim to become the prime driving force in building Pakistan into a great nation and a powerful nation within our own lifetime - a Pakistan full of faith in Our Lord and Master Allah, devoid of poverty, with every person enjoying a good standard of living, the highest standard of education and health care, an honest and a hard working nation, an efficient and productive people, a quality conscious country, a leader of nations.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

  • The Foundation will be a non-profit and non-political organization, set up for the benefit and welfare of Petarians in particular and Pakistanis at large
  • The Foundations shall provide welfare services for Petarians through:
    • Creation job opportunities through its investments and placement Establishment and operation of an unemployment bureau to assist the jobless
    • Establishment and operation of a career counseling service
    • Establishment of scholarships to capable, needy & deserving students
      • Distribution of free course books to needy students
      • Establishment and operation of projects to assist and provide jobs to widows and orphans
      • Establishment and operation of blood banks
      • Establishment and operation of any other service or facility that would be of benefit to Petarians in particular and to Pakistanis at large
  • The Foundation shall promote and finance projects in the following areas:
    • Establishment and operation of public schools, colleges, universities
    • Establishment and operation of research facilities in all science
      • Establishment and funding of "chairs" at Universities in Pakistan
      • Establishment and operation of vocational institutions for all trades
      • Establishment and operation of public libraries
      • Publication of books and magazines in all fields of benefit to Pakistan
      • Promotion of knowledge through any other means
      • Establishment and operation of health care facilities
      • Establishment and management of mosques and Qur'an / Hadith teaching schools
  • The Foundation shall promote goodness in society in all its forms, and shall campaign against evil, corruption and oppression in society in all its forms.
  • The funds raised by the Foundation shall be invested in halal businesses that would generate profits to be used to fulfill its objectives. Businesses that the Foundation could invest in include the following:
    • All halal industries
    • Agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry
    • Schools and colleges
    • Telecommunications and information technology
    • Engineering services
    • Health care
    • Real estate
    • Services
  • .
  • MEMBERSHIP
  • All Petarians and other Pakistanis are eligible to become Members of the Foundation. There will be following categories of Members:
  • Fellows
  • Members
  • All categories of members will be classified as "Petarian" and "Non-Petarian"
  • MEMBERSHIP FEES
  • All members are required to pay annual fees of Rs. 1,000. A one-time payment of Rs. 15,000 will be considered as payment of the membership fees for life.
  • Any member who pays life membership fees will be considered to be a Fellow upon an additional one-time payment to the Foundation of Rs. 250,000.
  • BOARD OF DIRECTORS
  • The Foundation will be governed by a Board of Directors having 5 directors. The constitution of the Board will be as follows:
  • 2 Directors to be elected by the Members
  • 3 Directors to be elected by the Fellows
  • The Directors shall choose a Chairman of the Board, a Secretary and a Treasurer from among themselves. Other office bearers may be appointed by the Board.
  • Each of the Directors shall hold office for a period of 4 years. Approximately half of the elected Directors shall be elected every 2 years in order to provide rotation and continuity to the Board. Of the first Board to be elected, 3 Directors (1 by Members and 2 by Fellows) shall be elected for a period of 4 years, and 2 (1 by Fellows and 1 by Members) shall be elected for a period of 2 years only.

    All Directors shall serve on a voluntary basis and shall not be eligible for any remuneration.
  • SECRETARIAT
  • At an appropriate date, the Board shall form a Secretariat for day to day management of operations of the Foundation. The Secretariat shall have full time hired staff, and shall be headed by a Secretary General. The remuneration to be paid to the Secretary General and the Secretariat staff shall be determined by the Board. Until such time as a professional Secretariat is formed, the Board shall work as the Secretariat on a voluntary basis, with the Chairman of the Board also serving as the Secretary General.
  • FUND RAISING
  • In addition to membership fees, the Foundation shall raise funds from Petarians and non-Petarians through halal means, and possibly through any of the following channels:
  • Donations
  • Zakat
  • Grants from government agencies and NGOs
  • Fund raising dinners, functions, meena bazars, etc.
  • Advertisements in its publications
  • Other means approved by the Board of Directors
  • The donors can dedicate any of the money donated for the sake of their loved ones or for the sake of their own destiny in the Hereafter.
  • The Zakat money collected would be spent only for the categories allowed as recipients of Zakat.
  • Readers are requested to send their comments and expression of interest to 671@petaro.com