Pakistan and Turkiye have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in social protection, family welfare and poverty alleviation, besides expediting the finalisation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the relevant ministries of the two countries.
Pakistan, Turkiye agree to enhance cooperation in social protection sector
ISLAMABAD, Jul 14 (APP): Pakistan and Turkiye have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in social protection, family welfare and poverty alleviation, besides expediting the finalisation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the relevant ministries of the two countries.
The understanding was reached during a meeting between Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection Syed Imran Ahmad Shah and Turkiye’s Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktas on the sidelines of the 9th Ministerial Conference on Women of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
During the meeting, Syed Imran Ahmad Shah said Pakistan and Turkiye enjoy a historic relationship founded on mutual trust, shared values and unwavering support for each other in difficult times.
He briefed the Turkish minister on Pakistan’s social protection framework, highlighting the role of the Benazir Income
Support Programme (BISP), Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal, Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund and other institutions in supporting vulnerable segments of society and reducing poverty.
The minister said Pakistan is keen to benefit from Turkiye’s experience in digital social protection systems, family-centred welfare models and programmes promoting the inclusion of persons with disabilities.
He also described the ongoing collaboration between Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), particularly the Ramadan Food Programme and the Centralised Kitchen Project, as successful examples of bilateral cooperation.
Mahinur Özdemir Göktas appreciated Pakistan’s social protection initiatives, especially the Benazir Income Support Programme, and said it is playing an effective role in supporting deserving families and economically empowering women.
The two ministers agreed to expedite the signing of the MoU to expand cooperation in social protection, social welfare, community development, capacity building, staff training and the exchange of best practices.
Turkiye’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Irfan Neziroglu, and senior officials from both countries also attended the meeting.
Later, Syed Imran Ahmad Shah presented the Turkish minister with a traditional Pakistani dupatta and a commemorative ministerial shield, while Mahinur Özdemir Göktas presented him with a souvenir on behalf of Turkiye.
