President calls for protecting vulnerable families

ISLAMABAD, Oct 16 (APP): President Asif Ali Zardari emphasised the importance of protecting vulnerable families from economic hardship and ensuring that every citizen has access to basic necessities and opportunities for a better life.

In a message on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, he said, “Addressing poverty requires sustained efforts to strengthen social protection, expand employment opportunities and improve access to education, healthcare and adequate housing.”

“The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) has been playing an important role in Pakistan’s efforts to alleviate poverty by providing financial assistance to vulnerable families, particularly women. It has extended social protection to households facing economic hardship and helped them meet essential needs. Strengthening such support, alongside measures that enable families to improve their livelihoods, remains important to reducing poverty over the long term,” he added.

He said, “This year’s United Nations theme, “Safe Homes for All,” has particular significance for Pakistan. The devastating floods of 2022 left countless families without homes, livelihoods and the modest possessions they had accumulated over generations. I cannot forget the suffering of those families, particularly the elderly, women and children, who suddenly found themselves without a roof over their heads.”

“I take particular satisfaction in the efforts of the government of Sindh, which launched the Sindh People’s Housing for Flood Affectees (SPHF) programme to construct 2.1 million climate-resilient homes for flood-affected families. Hundreds of thousands of homes have already been completed, while reconstruction continues across the province,” he added.

The President said, “Development in areas such as Tharparkar must be assessed by the improvements it brings to local communities. Access to clean drinking water, education, healthcare and reliable livelihood opportunities can make a practical difference to families facing economic hardship. Development must translate into better living conditions and give people greater opportunities to support themselves and their families.”

“The land reforms and labour measures introduced by Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto reflected an effort to address economic disparities and improve the position of workers and tenants. This history also reminds us of the importance of ensuring that the benefits of economic development reach ordinary citizens. For families struggling to meet household expenses, being able to keep children in school, obtain necessary medical care and afford adequate housing can make a decisive difference. Our efforts to reduce poverty must remain attentive to these everyday pressures and provide practical support to those who need it most,” he remarked.

The President said, “On this day, I call for continued efforts to reduce poverty through effective social protection, decent employment and fair access to essential services. Every family should have a genuine opportunity to improve its circumstances and build a more secure future.”

“My dream is of a Pakistan where no child goes to bed hungry, no mother fears for her family’s future, no elderly person is abandoned in hardship, and no young person is denied the opportunity to build a better life,” he concluded.