Associated with the university community during her early years, Parveen Saeed began her mission of providing affordable meals to the poor in a low-income settlement in Karachi’s Surjani Town. What started as an act of service has continued for nearly five decades, making Khana Ghar a symbol of hope for daily-wage workers and families struggling to meet their basic food needs.
The central principle of Khana Ghar is simple: no one should go hungry because they cannot afford a meal. According to the account provided, the organization offers roti for just Rs. 3, while curry is served free of charge. Even those who cannot afford the nominal price of bread are not turned away and are provided food.
Despite her advancing age, Parveen Saeed remains actively involved in the daily operations of Khana Ghar. Her routine begins early in the morning, around 7:00 am, when meal preparation gets underway. She also supervises and participates in food distribution, which begins around 12:30 pm and continues until approximately 3:00 or 4:00 pm.
Khana Ghar has expanded its service network in Surjani Town to include two main food centres and six pickup points. The initiative reportedly serves between 4,000 and 5,000 people daily, many of them labourers and daily-wage earners. Its operations require more than 100 kilograms of curry ingredients each day, along with thousands of rotis to meet the demand.
However, the rising cost of essential supplies, including flour and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), has placed considerable financial pressure on the organization. Inflation has made it increasingly difficult to sustain the daily provision of affordable meals, highlighting the need for community support and assistance from those committed to addressing hunger and poverty.
Despite these challenges, Parveen Saeed continues her humanitarian mission with remarkable determination. Her work stands out as an example of service that prioritizes people in need rather than personal recognition or publicity. Her commitment demonstrates how a single individual's sustained efforts can provide practical relief to thousands of people.
Parveen Saeed's contribution goes beyond serving food. By helping labourers and disadvantaged citizens access daily meals, she offers support to people who often face uncertainty over their next meal. Her work also represents the values of social responsibility, compassion and respect for human dignity.
Her decades-long dedication to Khana Ghar is an inspiring example of grassroots humanitarian service in Karachi. Her mission carries an important message: every community deserves initiatives that ensure people in need can access food without humiliation or exclusion.
Parveen Saeed deserves recognition as one of Karachi’s inspiring humanitarian figures. Her unwavering commitment to feeding the hungry reflects the true spirit of community service and offers a powerful reminder that meaningful social change often begins with one person's determination to help others.
Disclaimer
This profile has been prepared using the information provided for publication on Who is Who in Pakistan. Operational figures, historical details and other information have not been independently verified and should be treated as attributed information. The profile is intended to recognize Parveen Saeed’s reported humanitarian contributions and raise awareness of the work of Khana Ghar.
Any corrections or additional verified information may be submitted to the editorial team of Who is Who in Pakistan.
