ISLAMABAD, Nov 6 (APP): President Asif Ali Zardari has said that Pakistan has emerged as an important actor in promoting South-South cooperation by sharing its policy innovations and community-based development models with other developing countries.
“Through sharing its experience in health, education, and social protection, Pakistan is contributing to building inclusive and resilient societies across the Global South. We are sharing our experience in digital cash transfers and registry-based targeting through the Benazir Income Support Programme and the National Socio-Economic Registry,” the president said in an interview with Doha-based English newspaper The Peninsula during his visit to Qatar.
Calling technology central to Pakistan’s social protection system, he said that the National Socio-Economic Registry and biometric verification made cash transfers transparent and ensured assistance reaching the right families.
He said that under BISP, digital wallets were helping women manage payments safely and build financial independence.
Sharing his long-term vision for a socially and economically inclusive Pakistan, he said that the long-term goal was to provide access to social protection to every family, financial independence to women, and decent employment to young people.
“We want to achieve these calls for sound economic management, efficient delivery systems, and strong partnerships through the Doha and Sustainable Development Goals frameworks. We want social protection to serve as the backbone of inclusive and climate-resilient growth.”
President Zardari, who visited Qatar to attend the Second World Summit for Social Development, spoke highly of Qatar’s constructive role in promoting regional peace and dialogue.
He said that Qatar had played an important mediating role in regional peace efforts, including facilitating talks between Hamas and international interlocutors, and hosting the US-Taliban dialogue that paved the way for the Afghan peace process and addressed Pakistan’s regional concerns.
“Qatar’s commitment to dialogue and humanitarian diplomacy resonates with Pakistan’s own vision for peace, stability and development in the region.”
He said that Pakistan and Qatar shared a deep, multidimensional partnership anchored in shared faith, culture, and mutual respect. Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1972, both nations have expanded cooperation in political, economic, defence, energy, and humanitarian fields,” he added.
In the current geopolitical context, President Zardari said that the partnership had strategic significance for regional peace, energy security, and social development.
He said that the Pakistani community in Qatar remained a vital link in enduring bilateral relationship as their hard work and professionalism had contributed greatly to Qatar’s remarkable development, while their remittances and skills continue to strengthen Pakistan’s economy and deepen people-to-people ties.
Besides, he said the Government of Pakistan was helping its workers to enhance their skills and use formal banking channels so they could access better opportunities abroad and support their families and the national economy more effectively.”
To a question about his views on the role of regional collaboration, particularly with Qatar and other Gulf countries, in achieving shared development goals, he said that regional collaboration was crucial.
“Pakistan and Gulf countries can cooperate on labour mobility, skills, and sustainable investment. Working together on climate-resilient infrastructure and social protection strengthens regional stability and supports the shared goals reflected in the Doha Declaration.”
On the significance of the Second World Summit for Social Development for addressing today’s global social and economic challenges, President Zardari said the summit was very important because it renewed international consensus on social justice and inclusive growth at a time of widening inequality and climate stress.
Asked about Pakistan government’s efforts to address complex challenges related to poverty, education, and health, the president said, “We are addressing these challenges through targeted social protection and human capital investment. The Benazir Income Support Programme provides direct cash support to over nine million families and runs education and nutrition schemes such as Waseela-e-Taleem and Nashonuma.”
He said that the said programmes helped improve school attendance and reduce malnutrition. “Pakistan’s social policy direction aligns with the Doha Declaration’s call for universal social protection floors and inclusive economic recovery.”
Discussing new social protection or welfare programmes Pakistan’s government introduced to support vulnerable populations, he said, “We are expanding the coverage and functions of BISP. It now uses a fully digital National Socio-Economic Registry covering 35 million households, ensuring transparency and better targeting. Programmes for child and disability benefits, disaster-linked cash assistance and women’s digital financial inclusion are being developed in line with Doha commitments.”
He said that under the Doha framework, Pakistan was ready to work with the United Nations and development partners to expand social protection through the Benazir Income Support Programme and the National Socio-Economic Registry, creating decent and green jobs, and linking social policy with climate resilience.
Talking on the importance of international cooperation in addressing issues like climate resilience and food security, which directly affect social stability, he said that it is very important because climate change directly affects people’s livelihoods.