Pakistanis are understood to be a rather generous nation. They actively take part in charitable acts. But alongside this perception is one about them being a non taxpaying society. So is private philanthropy a substitute for taxes or do people keep it separate -- for society’s welfare or as a religious duty?

This is an important area that deserves to be studied at length. For the time being at least, people do keep them in separate boxes and not necessarily see one as a substitute for the other. There is, of course, a mistrust associated with the state but, as economist Asad Sayeed tells us, people do not "understand that the scope of government’s taxes in terms of its utilisation is much bigger than the scope of private charity."

While the state thinks of ways to tackle the issues of what Adil Najam calls "low faith in government" and "low sense of citizenship", the society stays engaged with different kinds of charities for different purposes. Health and education are two areas where people are hugely investing in donations. Interestingly, these two are considered essential functions of the state and it could be argued that charitable institutions were needed because the state failed in providing for these two adequately.

The fact remains that we in Pakistan have produced world class models of philanthropic excellence. Abdul Sattar Edhi is, indeed, a pride for Pakistan whose credibility and efficacy is beyond a shadow of doubt. Shaukat Khanum Hospital is another example that people of this country can take pride in.

There are hundreds of examples and many are experimenting with non-traditional methods of fundraising. At the end of the day, more and more people are ready to fill in the needs of this society -- both as big philanthropists and small charity providers. To the extent that many of the banned religious organisations have found new identity in welfare works. Today’s Special Report attempts to cover the art of giving that Pakistanis specialise in.