Marking Six Decades of Service, Solidarity, and Hope – Caritas
1965–1967
Caritas Pakistan was created at the closing mass of Vatican II. A donation was made by Paul to Cardinal Joseph Cordeiro to set up a National Secretariat in Pakistan.
Caritas Pakistan National Secretariat was established in Lahore and Fr. L. J. Saldanha was appointed as first General Secretary. In 1967 Most Rev. Marcel Roger, Bishop of Lahore, was appointed as its first National Director.
1968-1971
In 1968, an Agriculture Seminar was held which facilitated in conducting a survey of Catholic villages and colonies in Pakistan.
In 1971, the main assistance of Caritas Pakistan began towards the emergency relief to rain, cyclone and flood affected people and also to the refugees of the Indian occupied areas after the war.
1973
Bishop Paul Andreoti was appointed as the National Director of Caritas Pakistan. Bishop Paul Andreotti of Faisalabad, the second National Director, braved the emergency of 1973 disastrous floods which affected all the dioceses of Pakistan especially Lahore Archdiocese. Caritas Pakistan helped build houses for Biharis from former East Pakistan, that is now Bangladesh.
In August 1973 Caritas Pakistan had a massive flood emergency relief program.
Inter Aid Committee was formed consisting of all ecumenical churches to coordinate flood relief.
1974-1975
In 1974 Mr. Augustin Lewis was appointed as the Executive Secretary and the treasurer of Caritas Pakistan. In November 1974, a seminar was held at Pastoral Institute, Multan on “Liberation through Development.”
1976-1979
The Constitution was approved and adopted by the General Body of Caritas Pakistan. The aims and objectives had a very clear and definite shape. The main thrust was towards awareness and leadership training with a special emphasis on community building and self-resilience.
Caritas Pakistan held its first General Assembly in Chak (village) 424/JB, Faisalabad Diocese.
The SALT (Social Awareness & Leadership Training) program was approved and Mr. Harish Massey was appointed SALT Team Head. The Office of Caritas Pakistan was set up in Lahore with Mr. Lewis as full-time National Executive Secretary. In 1979, Rev. Fr. James bought the land for the construction of the National Secretariat building.
The Social Awareness and Leadership Training (SALT) program was initiated to train people in all dioceses in 1979.
1980-1986
In 1981, Misereor approved a national SALT team to function for five years. Bishop Patras Yusaf took over as the National Director of Caritas Pakistan and stressed very much on the idea of animation and development.
Caritas Pakistan launched the Animation & Development Program in the six dioceses.
1988-1990
Caritas Pakistan started its Integrated Human Development (Animation and Development) program in 1988, during which the first Animators Training Program was conducted. The Bishop’s Conference of Pakistan, clergy, and the people greatly appreciated the program and the presence of animation teams in their midst.
Widespreaded rains and floods affected large areas across Punjab, and Caritas Pakistan actively participated in relief and rehabilitation programs.
In 1990, the new building of Caritas Pakistan National Office was completed and blessed by Bishop Patras Yousuf on March 23rd. In the same year, Caritas Pakistan launched the Volunteers Training Program (TP) in December and commenced its Silver Jubilee celebrations.
1991-1994
In 1991, the Frontier Province (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) was hit by an earthquake, on February Caritas Pakistan, along with the Pakistan Red Crescent Society, participated in relief and rehabilitation efforts. The same year, the Second Animation Training Program was conducted.
A national seminar, “Caritas and Development,” was organized to deepen understanding of development concepts and strategies.
The First National Health Workshop was held, leading to similar programs in all dioceses, and under the chairmanship of Bishop Patras Yousuf, the National Health Commission was established in Lahore. In 1994, Ten Steps of Animation were developed and adopted at the grassroots level, strengthening social mobilization based on field experience.
1998-2004
In 1998, Caritas Pakistan launched its First Strategic Planning Process, engaging grassroots communities. A Staff Convention was held in 1999 to enhance teamwork and vision.
The Second Strategic Planning Process took place in 2001, alongside major relief and rehabilitation support for Afghan refugees.
From July to December 2003, Caritas conducted its longest-ever ICM/IPM Training Program for volunteers, animators, and agricultural coordinators.
In 2004, the Third Strategic Planning Process was completed, and Caritas Pakistan facilitated the repatriation of 3,154 Afghan refugee families, reaffirming its mission of service and compassion.
2005-2010
The revised constitution of Caritas Pakistan was approved by the General Body in 2005. During these years, Caritas Pakistan actively responded to several major disasters, including the October 2005 earthquake, Cyclone Yemyin (2007), the Baluchistan earthquake (2008), the Swat IDPs crisis (2009), and the historic floods of 2010, which inundated almost one-third of the country.
2011-2012
In 2011, Mr. Amjad Gulzar joined as Executive Director of the Caritas Pakistan National Secretariat. Mr. Michel Roy, Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis, visited Pakistan and inaugurated the book “Restoring Dignity” highlighting Caritas’ flood response.
Caritas Pakistan received an appreciation shield from NDMA for its humanitarian efforts.
In 2012, the 5th Strategic Planning of Caritas Pakistan was held. Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) was integrated with Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM).
Caritas collaborated with UNESCO to implement school safety programs, while 25 diocesan staff members received international training on Community-Based Disaster Preparedness in Bangkok under Caritas Asia.
2013-2014
Caritas Pakistan responded to earthquakes in Mashkel and Awaran, as well as to countrywide floods and drought conditions in Tharparkar and Cholistan.
A Convention of Caritas Pakistan Staff was organized under the theme “Together We Proceed.” International training on Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction was held with participants from across Asia.
Caritas Pakistan received ISO 9002-2008 certification for Quality Management Standards, and responded to the IDPs crisis in North Waziristan.
2015
In 2015, Caritas Pakistan was elected as a member of the Caritas Asia Regional Commission and the Caritas Internationalis Representative Council. The 6th Strategic Planning process was conducted, aligning operational guidelines with national and international standards. Caritas Pakistan celebrated its Golden Jubilee Year from September 14–18, 2015, at Renewal Centre, Lahore.
The First Women Farmer Conference was held from October 22–24 at the Sargodha Institute of Technology, reflecting Caritas’ continued commitment to empowerment and community development.
2016
Launched the “One Million Tree Plantation Campaign (2016–2019)”, promoting Laudato Si’ and ecological awareness.
2018
Cardinal Coutts Conference Hall inaugurated at Caritas Pakistan National Secretariat, Lahore, for trainings and coordination.
Launched SAFBIN Project to enhance food security through sustainable smallholder farming.
Introduced a Volunteer Management System to structure national volunteer engagement.
2019
Hosted National Women’s Conference, continuing to promote women’s leadership and participation.
Conducted Caritas Advanced Training on Volunteer Management under the theme “We Are All Volunteers”.
Completed the One Million Tree Plantation Campaign (2016–2019) with over one million trees planted nationwide.
Launched the Caritas Initiative for Education Promotion (CIEP) and started the “One Million More Tree Campaign (2020–2023)”.
2020
Led a nationwide COVID-19 humanitarian campaign, distributing food, hygiene kits, and PPE to vulnerable communities.
2021
Celebrated the 23rd Anniversary of Ananiah Rehabilitation Center, reaffirming commitment to persons with disabilities.
2022
Responded to Pakistan’s historic floods, delivering large-scale emergency aid, shelter, and livelihood recovery.
2023
Hosted the 10th National Women’s Conference, celebrating women’s role in community development.
Successfully completed the “One Million More Tree Plantation Campaign (2020–2023)”, surpassing the target.
Organized the National Agriculture and Food Security Conference to promote sustainable rural livelihoods.
Conducted a Solidarity Program with Children of Jaranwala, promoting peace and interfaith harmony.
Held a National Water Conference, focusing on climate resilience and water resource management.
2024
Launched the “Caritas Plantation Campaign (2024–2027)” after the successful completion of two previous national tree campaigns.
Held the National Consultation on Strategic Planning (2024–2027) to set future priorities.
Inaugurated the Liaison Office of Caritas Pakistan in Islamabad to strengthen coordination with national and international partners.
NCDC (National Community Development Course) celebrated its 10-year journey (2014–2024), marking a decade of leadership and community capacity building.
2025
Conducted National Volunteer Management Training (Sept 2025) to strengthen disaster preparedness and response.
Continued flood emergency operations and environmental restoration efforts under the ongoing plantation campaign.
Faeq Rashid
Faeq Rashid
