- Charity addresses symptoms but poverty alleviation requires systemic economic and education fixes
Interview with Mr. Shahzad Khan, Senior Anchor Abb Takk TV
PAGE: Tell me something about yourself.
Shahzad Khan: I am a seasoned media professional with over 18 years of experience as a Senior News Anchor for major networks like Abb Takk TV, ARY News, Samaa TV and CNBC Pakistan where I have covered pivotal national events, from elections to all the major happenings in Pakistan and the rest of the world. I have tried to bridge the gap between theory and practice as a Visiting Faculty member at institutions like Iqra University, teaching the next generation of journalists. My earlier career in corporate insurance and risk assessment at firms like Century Insurance provided me with a unique, ground-level understanding of business and economic structures. This combination makes me a skilled communicator, analyst, and educator who examines issues with both a public lens and an understanding of institutional frameworks.
PAGE: What is your perspective on charity work in Pakistan?
Shahzad Khan: Charity, deeply rooted in religious and cultural practices, plays a dual but complex role.
An essential safety net, not a systemic solution: It acts as a critical shock absorber, providing immediate relief during crises like floods — events you have likely seen me covered. However, charity often addresses symptoms. Lasting poverty alleviation requires systemic fixes in the economy, education, and healthcare — issues that I have discussed and analyzed many times on the screen.
Accountability gap: A key challenge is the lack of transparency and measurable impact. Effective charity must evolve from pure aid to sustainable community projects. The media’s role, which I’ve embodied, is crucial in highlighting effective models and investigating malpractices to foster a culture of accountability and strategic giving.
PAGE: What must the incumbent government do to alleviate poverty in Pakistan?
Shahzad Khan: From a media and analytical perspective, the government’s strategy must be transparent, coherent, and focused on creating a stable environment for sustainable growth.
Enforce policy consistency & build investor trust: The most critical action is to provide long-term policy predictability. Frequent shifts in economic and taxation policies deter both local and foreign investment, which is essential for job creation. The reporting on economic beats would underscore the need for clear, consistent communication from the government to build market confidence.
Shift from subsidies to investment: Instead of broad subsidies that strain the treasury, resources must be strategically invested in human capital and export-oriented sectors. Prioritizing quality education, vocational training, and healthcare creates a productive workforce. As someone who has reported on youth and education, I understand that empowering the human resource is the foundational step.
Expand & digitize social safety nets: Programs like the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) must be expanded to cover the “new poor” and streamlined through technology to eliminate leakages. My corporate exposure of systems and processing has given me an insight into how efficient, transparent mechanisms can be designed to ensure aid reaches the intended beneficiaries.
PAGE: Do you think CSR is vital to address poverty in Pakistan?
Shahzad Khan: Yes, strategic CSR is vital because it leverages corporate resources for scalable, sustainable impact, moving beyond traditional charity.
Leveraging core business for impact: The most effective CSR uses a company’s expertise, technology, and supply chains to address social issues. For example, a telecom company improving digital literacy or a food company supporting sustainable agriculture. The corporate background helps you appreciate how business-driven models can create more durable change than one-off donations.
Creating shared value: Modern CSR is about creating shared value—where community development aligns with long-term business success, such as building a healthier, more skilled local workforce. This represents a smarter, more sustainable approach to national development. Remember, sustainability is the key word, around which the whole future of CSR could be revolving.
PAGE: How effective are microfinance banks in terms of inclusive economic growth in Pakistan?
Shahzad Khan: Microfinance has been a powerful tool for financial inclusion but faces significant challenges that limit its effectiveness for broad-based economic growth.
Success in access and women’s empowerment: It has successfully brought formal financial services, especially to women entrepreneurs, enabling small businesses and providing a buffer against shocks. This empowerment story is a frequent and important topic in economic journalism.
Critical limitations: However, its reach is limited, often excluding the poorest. A concerning trend is the shift from productive loans (for agriculture, tools) to urban consumer micro-loans, which can trap borrowers in debt cycles without generating income. Furthermore, high interest rates and a focus on short-term returns can undermine its social mission. It is important to involve scrutinizing such systemic issues to inform the public debate on making finance truly inclusive.