ISLAMABAD, Mar 12 (APP):Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs, Naeemul Haque on Tuesday said that the government would launch ‘Ahsas’ programme for the uplift of vulnerable segments of society.
The Ahsas programme would provide umbrella cover to existing social protection programmes including Benazir Income Support Programme (BIS), Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, Bait-ul-Mall, he said while talking to media on the sidelines of 13th Citi-PPF Micro-entrepreneurship Award Ceremony, organized by by Citi Bank and Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund.
He said the Ahsas programme was being launched to expedite the work for poverty alleviation in the country, deploring that the previous governments had neglected the vulnerable segments of society for the past thirteen years.
Naeemulhaq said that Prime Minister was determined to work for uplifting this segment of society. He also highlighted the importance of equal distribution of resources and provision of equal opportunities to poor for the progress and prosperity.
He said that the vulnerable segments of society would be given access to resources to help their uplift while the government was providing health cards to poor people and ensure provision of low-cost construction to build their houses.
He said that the Ahsas programe would be extended to Tehsil levels, wherein local governments would carry out development works. He said that the Tehsil governments would be provided resources to resolve their issues including health and education problems.
He said the government would also establish a separate Poverty Alleviation Ministry, adding that the measures taken by the incumbent government, would be unprecedented.
To a question, he said that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s meeting with Mian Nawaz Sharif was not merely about enquiring latter’s health, rather it was a political move as both Pakistan Muslim League (N) and Pakistan People’s Part were supporting each other these days.
He deplored that both the parties had damaged the country’s economy during the past decade.
Earlier addressing the award ceremony, Naeemul Haque said that the ruling class in country had been interested in protection of their own socio-economic interest for the last 70 years and they ignored the under-privileged segments of the society.
He said that the current government soon after coming into powers, had taken several steps for the uplift of common man in the country and introduced specific measures for ensuring the equitable distribution of national wealth to pull the under-served segments of the society form the poverty.
He said that steps were being also taken to ensure easy access to healthcare facilities, education and other social services.
He said that bridging the increasing gap among rich and poor was on the top in 22-year struggle of Prime Minister Imran Khan, adding that government was committed to enhancing the scope of micro-finance to implement its job creation agenda.
He said that in order to promote the small and medium enterprises, the issues of supply side would be addressed and private sector would be encouraged to expand its outreach to underdeveloped areas of the country.
He called upon the leaders of the business community to come forward and join hands to strengthen the government’s and private sector efforts and play their role to alleviate poverty from the country.
Addressing the ceremony, Deputy Governor State Bank of Pakistan Jameel Ahmad said that poverty, illiteracy and constraints to financial resources were the main hindrances in the promotion of financial inclusion and micro-finance development.
He informed that by the end of calendar year 20118-19, micro-finance banks and institutions had disbursed about Rs 2.7 billion among 2.6 million borrowers which was reflecting the increase in financing for micro level.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Executive Officer of PPF Qazi Essa said that microfinance outreach had been expanded to 135 districts across the country with about Rs 2.7 billion gross loan portfolio, adding that one loan size was Rs 55,173.
He said there were about 6.9 million active borrowers and 51 percent loans were extended to individuals in rural areas of the country, adding that out of the total active borrowers 47 percent women and 53 percent were men.
The CEO said that the potential microfinance market were estimated at 20.5 million borrowers. He said over 3,800 nominations were received in last 13 years and 400 entrepreneurs have received awards in 13 different categories.
