Page 12 - NewsletterJune2015

Newsletter The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan meet of the month: Abdul Ghafoor Serving with a smile By Samina Iqbal happily. “ICAP is a good Official blue shirt, dark blue place to work. Nice people, trousers, silver streaked hair good environment.” − his grace and quiet makes him stand apart … walking Ghafoor was in middle school tall from one room to another when his parents passed serving his several bosses. away, and financial problems made him travel from his “I come before office time, hometown in Faisalabad to and arrange everyone’s an uncle in Karachi in 1983. water, tea and whatever “My mamoon got me a job else they may require where he worked − in the daily when they come in.” Abdul newspaper Aman’s despatch Ghafoor looks after the top section.” He worked there till management (some call him he joined ICAP. the “executive butler”), plus anyone else who may require Ghafoor lives in Malir. his services. “I try to serve And so by the time he everyone as per their timings.” We never go out − to a park or a movie, or eat out. But once in a while, I do take home burgers for my children from Saddar. Lunch time is busy too, heating and serving reaches home there is only time food. “I have never taken my lunch time … and to have dinner and go to sleep. actually nobody ever asked me if I had mine.” Such dedication to duty. And after-office-hour “And as I am not home mostly, my wife has to is busy too − meetings, or staying back with any take care of my share of responsibilities too. She one of his bosses who sits late. He is called for controls the budget and tries her best to balance weekend meetings too. About 15 to 16 days in a everyone’s needs. It’s tough on her. We never month, Ghafoor has to stay back beyond office go out − to a park or a movie, or eat out. But hours. Not that he minds all that extra work. once in a while, I do take home burgers for my Overtime helps in making ends meet. children from Saddar where they sell it at a very reasonable price − Rs.20 for a burger.” Ghafoor joined the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan as a messenger way Ghafoor has three children. The eldest, a back in 1989 at the age of 25, and is still with the son, is in Inter, the younger daughter is in despatch department though assigned other Matric, and the elder, who is studying to be a jobs as well. “It was a small set-up (the present Chartered Accountant, is at Tabani’s School of ICAP office at Chartered Accountants Avenue) Accountancy. She has cleared her Assessment of of about 12 to 15 people. I started off with a Fundamental Competencies (AFC) this year and salary of Rs.1000, and there would be an annual is preparing for Certificate in Accounting and increment of Rs.50 or Rs.60, not like today’s 5% to Finance (CAF). 20%. Last year I got a 14% increase,” he informs (Continued on page 11) Editorial and Layout Design: ICAP Publications Team Printer: Adenis Prepress e-mail: [email protected]