LAHORE: Akhuwat organised a gathering in Lahore’s Defence area to engage with its donors and supporters, bringing together individuals from diverse walks of life along with representatives of civil society. The event served as a platform to reflect on the organisation’s journey, share its achievements, and acknowledge the role of donors in sustaining its social welfare initiatives across Pakistan.
Addressing the audience, Akhuwat’s Founder and Chairman, Dr Muhammad Amjad Saqib, highlighted the organisation’s pioneering role in promoting interest-free microfinance in the country. He said that Akhuwat is successfully running one of Pakistan’s largest interest-free microfinance programmes, built on the principle of compassion, trust and social solidarity. According to him, the programme has so far reached more than four million families nationwide, providing them with interest-free microloans aimed at improving livelihoods and reducing poverty.
Dr Saqib noted that one of the most significant indicators of the programme’s success is its exceptionally high recovery rate, which currently stands at 99.9 percent. He said this reflects not only the financial discipline of borrowers but also the strong sense of trust and responsibility embedded in Akhuwat’s model. Unlike conventional microfinance systems that rely on interest-based lending, Akhuwat’s approach is rooted in community support and ethical finance, enabling underserved individuals to access capital without the burden of interest.
He explained that the impact of interest-free microloans goes beyond financial assistance, as they help families start or expand small businesses, stabilise household incomes, and regain dignity and self-reliance. Over the years, Akhuwat’s microfinance programme has expanded its reach across urban and rural areas, covering a wide range of beneficiaries including small traders, artisans, women entrepreneurs and low-income households.
In addition to microfinance, Dr Saqib also spoke about Akhuwat’s growing footprint in the education sector. He shared that Akhuwat College Kasur is currently providing free, high-quality education along with residential facilities to hundreds of deserving students from different parts of the country. The institution aims to create opportunities for talented students from underprivileged backgrounds who would otherwise be unable to access quality higher education.
He further highlighted the role of Akhuwat Women College Chakwal, which is offering free, quality education and free residential facilities exclusively for female students. According to Dr Saqib, the college is designed to empower young women by removing financial and social barriers that often limit access to education. By providing a safe residential environment along with academic support, the institution enables female students from across Pakistan to pursue higher education and build independent futures.
Dr Saqib emphasised that these initiatives are made possible through the continued support, trust and cooperation of Akhuwat’s donors. He acknowledged that donor contributions form the backbone of the organisation’s work, allowing it to scale its programmes while maintaining its commitment to interest-free and free-of-cost services. He said the partnership between donors, volunteers and beneficiaries has been central to Akhuwat’s ability to sustain its social mission over the years.
Participants at the event included long-standing donors, community leaders and members of civil society, who expressed appreciation for Akhuwat’s transparent model and its focus on long-term social impact. The gathering also provided an opportunity for interaction between donors and the organisation’s leadership, reinforcing a shared vision of poverty alleviation through ethical finance and education.
The Lahore event underscored Akhuwat’s broader role within Pakistan’s social development landscape, where it has emerged as a leading example of how community-driven initiatives can address structural challenges such as poverty, financial exclusion and unequal access to education. By combining interest-free microfinance with investments in human capital, Akhuwat continues to position itself as a catalyst for inclusive and sustainable development across the country.
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