History

In 1951, the Government of Pakistan sought the assistance of the United Nations with a view to formulate a social welfare program befitting a free country. A year later, the first batch of the UN Social Welfare Consultants arrived in Karachi and this marked the beginning of a new orientation in the field of social welfare. In the absence of trained social workers, they advised the government to give priority to social work training as without qualified workers, social welfare projects and programs cannot be properly implemented. On the recommendation of the UN Adviser, the Government of Pakistan (Health Division) drew up a plan for initiating an organized social welfare program in the country in 1953. In the initial stage, the government’s responsibilities were confined to imparting social work training, encouraging voluntary agencies and sponsoring of urban and rural community development projects.