Connecting the Dots: Countering Violent Extremism through Corporate Social Responsibility

Abstract

The study discusses the state of violent extremism in Pakistan and efforts to counter it through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). In the backdrop of terrorist attacks that incurred financial and lives losses, the study highlights as to how it has fragmented Pakistan’s social fabric. As a way forward, it talks about the measures in terms of peace-building and interfaith harmony, which could be strengthened by using the private sector CSR resources. The study further aims to analyze as to how Pakistan’s private sector is implementing its CSR, which is still at primitive level whereas the world has reached the social impact levels out of CSR. Extensive interviews of senior officials of the selected private companies undertaking CSR activities have been conducted to gather qualitative data. The study provides information on the CSR models and activities of 28 selected companies from telecommunication, oil and gas, food and some of the mix sectors. It also discusses as to how the selected companies undertake their CSR-related work. Many companies would spend huge amounts for social welfare and community development, including education, health, sport, etc. under CSR, but this practice leaves no deep-rooted impact. The study finds that international companies operating in Pakistan follow the footsteps of their headquarters’ CSR agenda and perform under the structured CSR programmes and policies whereas the national and local companies lack this vision. The study reveals none is reported to have done any work on efforts to counter the violent extremism. It stresses the need to promote peaceful co-existence in the society to counter the violent extremism.