ISLAMABAD – Italian government plans huge funds for Pakistan social sectordevelopment, media report has claimed.
The Italian government is planning to invest €40 million on youth, health,infrastructure, education development policies and programs in Pakistan incollaboration with Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF).
This was revealed by the Italian Ambassador to Pakistan, StefanoPontecovero, at the closing ceremony of poverty reduction training sessionsconducted by the PPAF in collaboration with the Italian Agency forDevelopment Cooperation in Pakistan (IADCP) and Luiss Business School.
Stefano said that 65 percent of Pakistan’s population is under 35 and theypossess immense potential. Italy hopes to invest more in youth developmentpolicies to empower the future of the country and contribute towards aprosperous tomorrow.
These trainings were specially conducted for communities based inBalochistan, KPK and FATA with the aim to uplift their socio-economicconditions.
Speaking on this occasion, Emanuela Benini, Director, Italian Agency forDevelopment Cooperation in Pakistan said, “We are delighted to see theimpact of PPR training sessions for communities in Pakistan and hope thateveryone had an insightful week of learning. We now look forward to theparticipants’ contributions towards sustainable development for theirrespective areas.”
PPAF Chief Executive Officer Qazi Azmat Isa also lauded the efforts of theItalian government and said without their active participation, suchsessions could not have been possible.
“Positive interventions cannot be done in isolation. It is imperative formultiple stakeholders, including academia, NGOs and governments, tocollaborate and work towards bringing a sustainable change,” said the PPAFhead.
The ceremony was attended by Italian Ambassador for Pakistan, StefanoPontecovero, Ms Emanuela Benini, Director, Italian Agency for DevelopmentCooperation in Pakistan, Qazi Azmat Isa, CEO PPAF & Simi Kamal, Head ofProgrammes PPAF.