Karachi, October 27, 2021 - Ismail Foundation and Unilever Pakistan are partnering to provide sustainable clean drinking water to underserved communities in Pakistan. As a first, the two companies are joining hands to establish an RO plant at Rahim Yar Khan under Ismail Foundation’s Water and Sanitation Logistics (WASL) initiative, which is their flagship water project. Unilever Pakistan’s commitment to the cause forms under their efforts to combat climate change and support clean water stewardship programs.
Mr. Amir Paracha, Chairman Unilever Pakistan and Mr. Hamid Ismail, CEO Bisconni & Snackcity recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalise this partnership at the Unilever Pakistan Head Office in Karachi. Unilever Pakistan will be working with Ismail Foundation as part of this effort to create the supply of low-cost clean drinking water through a sustainable operational model managed by Ismail Foundation.
The plant will help provide 2,500 families clean drinking water daily making it a unique and one of its kind projects. This will address the issue of water borne diseases and create healthier and more vibrant community making a lasting social impact. The provision of clean drinking water improves health, education, quality of life, creates employment as a result empowering community.
Mr. Amir Paracha, Chairman and CEO, Unilever Pakistan, expressed the organisation’s commitment to sustainable environment friendly solution, “Unilever is committed to a clean future for the planet and Pakistan through urgent and collective climate action. Pakistan is one of the most vulnerable countries when it comes to water scarcity and has already begun to observe some devastating first signs of the crisis. It will take all of us to come together through effective partnerships to ensure our continued sustainable development in the face of rising climate change and we are pleased to collaborate with Ismail Foundation for this project as part of this ambition. Our first project is due to begin in Rahim Yar Khan city, which has a vital place in Unilever Pakistan’s history, present and future, and we aim to take this partnership forward for the benefit of our communities in Pakistan.”
WASL is a project by Ismail Foundation which was launched in 2020 with an aim to provide a sustainable means to high-quality and affordable clean drinking water in underserved communities of Karachi. The first two RO plants under this project were established in Bagh-e-Korangi and Landhi which have proven to be a reliable source of clean drinking water in the area. By collaborating with Unilever, Ismail Foundation aims to grow across Pakistan and scale WASL into a major social enterprise addressing the need of clean drinking water in the country. Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Hamid Ismail, CEO Bisconni and Snackcity said “I aspire to grow WASL into a large social enterprise which is self-sustainable and grows organically through the funds generated from within itself and with partnerships with organizations like Unilever which support social causes with great passion and enthusiasm. WASL will provide clean drinking water to over two million people within one year across Pakistan in turn creating a social revolution by impacting health, education, and women empowerment in communities.”