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HYDERABAD, Jan 14 (APP):In a landmark move for Pakistan’s microfinance sector, SAFCO Microfinance Company (SMCL) has announced it will grant company shares to its employees, transitioning its workforce from salaried staff to stakeholders.
The announcement was made by Dr. Suleman G. Abro, Founder and President of the SAFCO Group, during the organization’s annual meeting held at Hyderabad Gymkhana. The event was attended by governing board members, zonal managers,
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Abro highlighted SAFCO’s 40-year journey, noting that the institution has become a global benchmark. “Our experiences are now sought after by international delegations,” Dr. Abro stated. He credited the organization’s success to its mission of serving the marginalized, asserting that the joy of alleviating human suffering outweighs any formal award.
The year 2025 served as a period of significant international acclaim for the group. SMCL was honored with the Global Islamic Finance Award by the Prime Minister of Malaysia and the President of Maldives, as well as the Islamic Retail Banking Award. Nationally, the company received two leadership and innovation awards at the PMN National Conference in Karachi.
The decision to offer shares is designed to foster a deep sense of ownership among the staff. “By making our employees shareholders, we are valuing their hard work and ensuring they share in SAFCO’s profits,” Dr. Abro said. He emphasized that this initiative would set a new precedent for corporate culture in Pakistan, encouraging “quality development” that directly improves lives.
Syed Sajjad Ali Shah, Managing Director of SMCL, noted that the company has maintained its status as one of the country’s most cost-effective financial service providers. Despite seasonal and economic fluctuations, the company achieved satisfactory growth in 2025 by focusing on people-friendly leadership.
Highlighting the group’s social contributions, Bashir Ahmed Abro, CEO of the SAFCO Support Foundation, reported that in collaboration with the Sindh Government, the foundation has already completed and handed over 100,000 houses as part of a massive project to build 257,000 homes for the displaced.
Looking Ahead to 2026
SAFCO Board Chairman Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ismail Kunbhar urged the team to use the new year to strategize for even greater impact. Other speakers, including Prof. Dr. Ghulam Ali Jeriko, Mumtaz Bano Sheikh, and renowned writer Syed Zawar Naqvi, lauded SAFCO’s role in strengthening the agribusiness sector and providing millions in financial assistance to rural communities.
The ceremony concluded with a collective resolve to align technical skills with social insight to continue SAFCO’s mission of national and international service.