PM Shehbaz announces special initiative to lift poor, flood-hit households out of poverty

ISLAMABAD, Oct 16 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has called for renewed collective resolve to build a prosperous Pakistan “where no individual or segment of society is left behind in sharing the fruits of development,” announcing that the government is launching a special initiative to lift extremely poor and flood-affected households out of poverty with a comprehensive support package.

In his message on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, the prime minister said eradicating poverty was a shared national responsibility, requiring joint efforts by provincial governments, development partners, civil society, the private sector and local communities. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to concerted, effective and practical measures at national and global levels to eradicate poverty, reduce inequality and ensure equitable development opportunities.

The prime minister noted that the day was being observed globally under the United Nations’ three-year campaign for 2026-2028, themed “United for Peace and Human Rights,” with the 2026 sub-theme “A Safe Home for All.”

He said the themes underscored the importance of collective efforts to eradicate poverty and build a peaceful and just society. Economic prosperity, adequate food supplies and safe housing were among the essential outcomes of poverty alleviation, he said, adding that safe and dignified housing was fundamental to citizens’ well-being.

The prime minister said the government was facilitating access to affordable housing, particularly for economically vulnerable segments, through easy financing under the Prime Minister’s Apna Ghar Scheme. Besides financial constraints, he noted, climate change impacts, including floods and heavy rainfall, were also contributing to housing shortages. Under the scheme, access to financial assistance for the construction and purchase of affordable homes was being expanded.

He said promoting the social and economic well-being of the people was a constitutional responsibility of the government, and the Constitution of Pakistan reflected the national commitment to establishing a welfare state. In fulfilment of this obligation, the government was pursuing an integrated strategy linking social protection with human development, skills enhancement, livelihood opportunities, employment and economic empowerment.

The prime minister said the government continued to strengthen and sustain the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) as a key social welfare initiative to provide direct financial assistance. The launch of the National Socio-Economic Registry and the Digital Social Protection Wallet, he said, aimed to protect beneficiaries from exploitation and ensure transparency in the delivery of assistance. Digital distribution mechanisms had further strengthened the identification of deserving beneficiaries, transparency in disbursement and financial inclusion, he added.

To help citizens establish sustainable livelihoods, he said, the government was taking practical steps to ensure equal access to education and provide technical and vocational training. Through the Daanish Schools System, talented children across the country were being provided quality education and comprehensive care irrespective of their socioeconomic backgrounds, thereby bridging class divides.

The prime minister said the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) had been further strengthened to equip young people nationwide with internationally aligned technical competencies and marketable skills. “Decent employment, entrepreneurship and economic opportunities for young people are the true guarantors of poverty eradication,” he said.

He said initiatives such as the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, “Uraan Pakistan,” Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal and the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), among others, were aimed at reducing poverty by improving livelihoods and strengthening infrastructure. These efforts, he added, would also help address deprivations in housing, energy, healthcare and education, enabling vulnerable and deserving families to move towards economic self-reliance.

The prime minister said the government was also committed to ensuring the economic well-being of children, senior citizens, special persons and other disadvantaged segments of society.

He further disclosed that the government was launching a special initiative to lift extremely poor and flood-affected households out of poverty, with a comprehensive package of support.

Describing poverty eradication as a shared national responsibility, the prime minister said that through collective efforts involving provincial governments, development partners, civil society, the private sector and local communities, Pakistan could be made socially and economically secure, self-reliant in its livelihoods and firmly on the path to progress and prosperity.

“Let us renew our collective resolve to build a prosperous Pakistan with a bright future, where no individual or segment of society is left behind in sharing the fruits of development,” he said.