Pakistan Medico International Social Welfare Association is purely a Pakistani Organization, founded on 18th May, 1971, by few like minded people of Pakistan. It was originally registered under Societies Act of XXI of 1860. On 30th April, 1979, it was then registered with the Directorate of Social Welfare, Government of Sind. It has been recognized by the Central Board of Revenue, Government of Pakistan, Under 47 Income Tax Act, as a charitable institution. It is known to various government agencies, such as Ministry of Health, Directorate of Social Welfare, Government of Sind, The Cabinet Division, Government of Pakistan and Administration of Karachi City apart from various relevant Departments of Central and Provincial Governments.

The members make the policies of Pakistan Medico International Social Welfare Association. The members belong to different professions such as Doctors, Engineers, Lawyers, Educationist, Chartered Accountant, Businessmen and students and they are employed elsewhere in their respective specialties. They are not paid from Pakistan Medico International Social Welfare Association. We employee about 300 persons on full time basis with 50 on part time and honorary basis. The annual budget of the organization is about Rs. 6 millions. Pakistan Medico International Social Welfare Association was conceived by few friends in 1970 during their education in West Germany. The basis for this Pragmatic idea was that most of the students have a tendency to criticize the ills within their country, although this criticism is quite right, but discussion alone is insufficient. We thought that right to criticize is sacred and those who are prepared for active participation in the development plans of their country and can face difficult environment have a right to criticize. With the technical know-how of the Europeans and our cultural, religious and linguistic background we have been able to work more effectively than other International big NGOs; while keeping the cost benefit ratio in favor of benefit.

We went to European organizations and discussed our concept which was appreciated by several agencies. As such our discussion with European agencies was also a test of their good will, whether the European Social Welfare Agencies' thought that others were capable of handling the work. It is a step towards decolonization of the European Social Welfare Agencies work by an autonomous independent local Pakistani Agency. It is also a test whether European Agencies are prepared to let us organize social work on our ideologies, religion and philosophies etc.

As we began our work in 1971, we found out that after some time as the situation was getting into being normal that all the International Agencies with their normal concept felt that they had done their job and were going away. Unfortunately, the International Agencies are more influenced by the world opinion or opinion within the country of their origin. They soon get disgusted there are working and leave before such time that their schemes are completed. Experts from International Agencies find working in developing countries very tedious and expensive. Today, therefore, we are of the opinion that Pakistani Originations are more suitable for the job in Pakistan.

It is not only that we have been working in Pakistan, we had attended many International symposia, visited many other foreign areas to understand the problems, also visited other International, agencies in the field of social welfare, as we consider the activities of social work as a joint venture or a partnership. According to us it is not a Recipient/Donor relationship it is a common and mutual, cause. Pakistan Medico International Social Welfare Association is involved in socio-medical, educational and rehabilitation work. The concept of participation to whatever extent is possible is also welcomed.

From our work about half million patients used to benefit annually and the number of students goes to a total in thousands, a great sense of satisfaction and achievement is that the entire work is conceived and implemented by Pakistanis within the national context. We hope and would like to encourage similar groups to carry out work of this nature in our country and other developing countries. The key to development is “Self help” with “self management”.

This resume is just a brief outline of our work; some of the goals are already accomplished, some schemes are underway. We do not mean to criticize others. We have learnt from many a great deal and we are ourselves open to constructive criticism and suggestions. Social work is not a monopoly of an individual or an organization. It is collective cause and we must carry the burden steadfastly together. Actually at the time of foundation we conceived that we should do only voluntary social work, but in the year 1971 and 1972 as Pakistan was being dismembered, the problem of the country for which we are concerned grew beyond the control of the Government, we felt we should launch our work, so in January 1972 we brought first consignment of medicines and some little money and started working in Orangi Township and outskirts of Karachi, a totally barren land without water, electricity and roads. This was an area where refugees from former East Pakistan had settled, on their own. Most of the areas even today are unauthorized. We started with the dispensary, distribution of Ovaltine to children and a Primary School. In due course of time other projects were added, some of them are listed below.