About Us
Who Are We?
Rizq is a social enterprise that aims to sustain human life and help fulfill its true potential. Working at the intersection of food justice, climate resilience, sustainability, and youth activism, we are dedicated to transform the global food ecosystem by developing scalable, impact driven solutions and a network of and social businesses to combat food insecurity and achieve SDG Goal 2 (Zero Hunger).
Beginnings
The Inspiring Start of Our Journey
Every day for the past two decades Huzaifa’s mother opened the
gates of her home, inviting all those hungry over for lunch.
Despite the efforts of people like her, hunger and poverty is
rife in Pakistan. When in university, Huzaifa noticed the
striking disparity - food was thrown away without a thought
while millions starved. Coming from a privileged family, Huzaifa
knew he had to act. When he shared the thought with his friends
Musa and Qasim, the three resolved to make a difference.
They
looked for existing solutions but found none. What they aimed to
do hadn’t been done in Pakistan before. They didn’t have any
plan, just a passion to do something. Huzaifa set up a Facebook
page, and the three put up their numbers, inviting people to
donate excess food. The page went viral overnight. Next they
knew Huzaifa, Musa and Qasim were driving around Lahore,
collecting and distributing food to those in need.
Huzaifa’s
mother suggested they call the movement RIZQ. And the rest, as
they say, is history.
Our Core Belief
Sustaining the Dignity of Human
At the heart of all of Rizq’s movement is one fundamental belief
that guides us: human life is inherently valuable.
It
is the human being - fragile yet full of wonder - who stands at
the center of every sacred text, every philosophical inquiry, and
every scientific breakthrough. We continuously ask ourselves: What
makes a human so profoundly important that the entire universe is
designed to orbit around their existence?
Islam says God
breathed His spirit into man (Quran, 32:9). Christianity believes
God created humans on His image (Genesis 1:27) while Hinduism
holds that all humans possess a divine essence, the Atman, which
is part of the universal, all-encompassing reality, Brahman.
Philosophy conceives man as a vessel of all potentialities, while
the scientific explanation holds man as the origin of knowledge
itself; inherently dignified by the virtue of being rational,
moral beings.
Despite all the philosophical and theological schools of thought
agreeing that the human life is sacred and has been created at the
nature of Divine, humans are placed in the world of the material.
A world where fear of scarcity distorts our virtues into vices.
Where greed replaces generosity, and pride overshadows humility.
This system of injustice strips humanity of its dignity and traps
us in cycles of deprivation.
But Rizq believes in
rising. Formed with the belief that in every being lies the power
to rebuild, reclaim, and to rise toward their highest self. Our
mission is to restore that lost dignity, because when people have
the fundamental needs met, only then can they begin to dream, to
create, and to fulfill their true potential.
Our Approach
How We Sustain Human Lives
From the beginning, Rizq’s approach has been unique focusing on two aspects: becoming economically sustainable while creating transformative impact. From a food based organisation, Rizq has now adapted a farm-to-fork approach, whereby we are now operating across the food chain through a mix of projects, programs and social business ventures in order to bring sustainable change at a grass-root level. We operate through two operational models: donations and social businesses. Every single one of our interventions is designed to build the capacity of beneficiaries in a dignified manner, while our social business model allows us to approach neglected areas and communities across the following operational areas:
Food Access and Nutrition
We bridge the gap between quality nutrition and affordability, ensuring every individual has access to healthy, balanced meals without compromise.
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Agriculture and Livestock
We empower small farmers with sustainable agricultural practices and provide essential inputs for innovative livestock management, enhancing food production while minimizing waste.
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Relief and Resilience
We stand with communities during crises, providing timely relief and long-term solutions to help them rebuild stronger, healthier, and more resilient futures.
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Special Projects
We bridge the gap between quality nutrition and affordability, ensuring every individual has access to healthy, balanced meals without compromise.
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Youth, Education and Advocacy
We amplify voices for change, advocating for sustainable policies and a better quality of life, while inspiring volunteers to take meaningful action.
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Research and Policy
We drive research and technological advancements that contribute to a more sustainable, efficient, and equitable food system for the future.
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2015
Initiation of Rizq through a Facebook post
Student society launched in LUMS.
2016
Incubated in Social Innovation Lab at LUMS
Launched Rizqshaw: end-to-end food redistribution model
RizqIt initiative launched to support school lunches for
underprivileged students
2017
Establishment of first community food banks.
Rizq co-founder, Musa Aamir, awarded Alumni Achievement Award
2018
Rizq was selected by SPRING Accelerator as Top 20 Social
Enterprises in South Asia
Rizq founders joined the Global FoodBanking Network
First major awareness campaigns on food security in
collaboration with partners.
2019
Affiliation with Global Food Banking Network
Venturing into Social Enterprise Kitchens
Partnered with Punjab Food Authority to introduce Pakistan’s
first Excess Food Disposal Regulation.
2020
Covid-19 relief activities through campaigns like "Stars Against
Hunger" and "Ehsaas Karo"
Rizq co-founders awarded the Commonwealth Points of Light award
by Queen Elizabeth.
2021
Became a part of Acumen Network
Co-Founders of Rizq Trust received award from Government of
Punjab for the services in Corona
Foodbank opened in Lyari, Karachi
2022
Nation-wide relief response as an aftermath of Floods.
Rizq became World Central Kitchen’s official partner in
Pakistan.
2023
Kickstarted the Sustainable Agriculture Division by launching
programs like Kissan Dost.
Rizq’s inspiration, Rukhsana Izhar, receives Pride of Pakistan
award.
2024
Rizq Khana was officially launched as a response to rampant
urban food insecurity.
CEO Rizq represented the country at COP'29 in Baku.
The Housing Innovation Lab (HIL) was established to develop
disaster-resilient housing models.
2025
Rizq celebrated its 10th year anniversary
Rizq led Pakistan's first official delegation to the Social
Business Day in Bangladesh.
Rizq participates in high-level side events at UNGA.
Core Values
Values We Align By
Empowerment
"The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any."
Alice Walker
Integrity
"Honesty saves you, even if you fear it"
Maula Ali
Sustainability
"The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else willsave it."
Robert Swan
Compassion
"Whenever there is compassion in something, it adorns it, & when it is removed from something it disgraces it"
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
Innovation
"There is only one thing stronger than all the armies of the world: and that is an idea whose time has come"
Victor Hugo
Benevolence
"The conqueror is regarded with awe; the wise man commands our respect; but it is only the benevolent man that wins our affection."
William Dean Howells
Rizq Team
Meet the Team
Meet the talented and hardworking individuals who work around the clock to sustain human lives in Pakistan and beyond.
