LRBT - backbone of eye care in Pakistan.

Byline: KHALIL AHMED

Existing facilities likely to be updated with latest state-of-the-art machines

Interview with Mr Najmus Saquib Hameed - Honorary Chairman of LRBT

PAGE: Tell me something about yourself and LRBT, please.

Najmus Saquib Hameed: I am the Honorary Chairman of LRBT. I've spent my career working with leading global organizations and have led companies and teams both in and out of Pakistan. Since the past 19 years, I have been serving in various capacities at the LRBT, and for the past 8 years as Chairman. This has been the most rewarding of all my roles throughout my career.

The work that LRBT is doing is nothing short of a miracle. We provide free eye care for the underprivileged and are the largest organization in Pakistan to do so. LRBT, effectively, is the backbone of eye care in Pakistan. With 19 hospitals in 17 cities, and around 60 service centers, we have developed a treatment network accessible to most Pakistanis at being most a 3-hour bus ride from one of our facilities.

The only income stream of LRBT is donations and zakat. We rely on the generosity of corporate and individual donors to meet our expenses. Our expenses this year are estimated to be Rs. 2.6 billion and all of it, inshaAllah, will come from our generous donors.

PAGE: What is your perspective about charity?

Najmus Saquib Hameed: We are an organization that is able to provide the highest levels of eye care because of the Zakat/donations we receive. For LRBT, charity is the lifeblood of the system. Islam has a very efficient and equitable system of wealth distribution. A significant portion of our income comes from Zakat, which is mandatory for all Muslims. We receive Zakat contributions from not just resident Pakistanis, but also from non-resident Pakistanis. That demonstrates a high level of trust in us and the work that we are able to do for our brothers, sisters and children. Therefore, through this excellent system in-built in our religion, our society is able to benefit greatly.

One thing to note while mentioning religion - we are 100% Shariah compliant and we take pains to ensure that all Zakat goes towards the treatment of 'mustahaqeen' as defined in the Islamic law.

PAGE: Could you tell me about the monetary requirements of LRBT over the course of next one year?

Najmus Saquib Hameed: As I mentioned, our entire income is charity-based and...