ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Imran Khan today launched a grand PovertyAlleviation Programme under the title of Ehsas.He said that nineinitiatives are being launched to overcome the nutrition problems ofchildren with stunted growth.
Addressing the launching ceremony of the programme in Islamabad today, hesaid the programme is the commencement of a Jihad to alleviate poverty andbring the destitute people above the line of poverty.
Imran Khan said that launching of the programme is reversion to Pakistanideology under which out founding fathers had decided to establish a trueIslamic welfare state.
The Prime Minister said the first step towards implementation of EhsasProgramme is to amend Article 38-D of the Constitution under whichprovision of food, clothes, shelter and health will be treated asfundamental rights of the people.
He said that spending for the poor people is being increased to eightybillion rupees and this amount will be further increased every year up toone hundred and twenty billion rupees.
Imran Khan said a new ministry is being created in the name of Ministry forSocial Protection and Poverty Alleviation. All welfare organizations,including Pakistan Baitul Maal, Benazir Income Support Programme, andPoverty Alleviation Coordination Council, will be coordinated under thisministry.
He said that data is being collected about income and poverty to correctlyassess the poverty indicators.
The Prime Minister said Ehsas Program will include the component ofTahaffuz, under which, survey will be conducted for financial assistance ofthe destitute people.
Similarly, saving accounts will be opened for 5.7 million poor women andmobile phones will be provided to these women for access to their bankaccounts. He said the stipend of the poor women is being increased fromfive thousand rupees to five thousand and five hundred rupees. He saidTehsil level hubs will be established for these women, where they will getaccess to their bank accounts and receive assistance in job search.
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Imran Khan said another component of the programme is Tahafuz under which,legal aid will be provided to any person in difficulty. Besides, assistancewill also be provided to the destitute in health, education, and othersectors. Assistance will also be provided to the destitute widows.
The Prime Minister said that partnership will be made with NGOs to help thepoor segments.
He said that help will also be provided to stunted children streetchildren, gipsy children, transgender and bonded labour throughpublic-private partnership.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan Baitul Maal has been assigned the task offunding homes for ten thousand children in the next four years.
He said health programme is also being launched to provide health cover tothree point three million people in thirty-eight districts.
He said that nine initiatives are being launched to overcome the nutritionproblems of children with stunted growth.
