PM Imran Khan launches nine initiatives for welfare of poor in Pakistan
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ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Imran Khan today launched a grand Poverty Alleviation Programme under the title of Ehsas.He said that nine initiatives are being launched to overcome the nutrition problems of children with stunted growth.
Addressing the launching ceremony of the programme in Islamabad today, he said the programme is the commencement of a Jihad to alleviate poverty and bring the destitute people above the line of poverty.
Imran Khan said that launching of the programme is reversion to Pakistan ideology under which out founding fathers had decided to establish a true Islamic welfare state.
The Prime Minister said the first step towards implementation of Ehsas Programme is to amend Article 38-D of the Constitution under which provision of food, clothes, shelter and health will be treated as fundamental rights of the people.
He said that spending for the poor people is being increased to eighty billion rupees and this amount will be further increased every year up to one hundred and twenty billion rupees.
Imran Khan said a new ministry is being created in the name of Ministry for Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation. All welfare organizations, including Pakistan Baitul Maal, Benazir Income Support Programme, and Poverty Alleviation Coordination Council, will be coordinated under this ministry.
He said that data is being collected about income and poverty to correctly assess the poverty indicators.
The Prime Minister said Ehsas Program will include the component of Tahaffuz, under which, survey will be conducted for financial assistance of the destitute people.
Similarly, saving accounts will be opened for 5.7 million poor women and mobile phones will be provided to these women for access to their bank accounts. He said the stipend of the poor women is being increased from five thousand rupees to five thousand and five hundred rupees. He said Tehsil level hubs will be established for these women, where they will get access to their bank accounts and receive assistance in job search.
Imran Khan said another component of the programme is Tahafuz under which, legal aid will be provided to any person in difficulty. Besides, assistance will also be provided to the destitute in health, education, and other sectors. Assistance will also be provided to the destitute widows.
The Prime Minister said that partnership will be made with NGOs to help the poor segments.
He said that help will also be provided to stunted children street children, gipsy children, transgender and bonded labour through public-private partnership.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan Baitul Maal has been assigned the task of funding homes for ten thousand children in the next four years.
He said health programme is also being launched to provide health cover to three point three million people in thirty-eight districts.
He said that nine initiatives are being launched to overcome the nutrition problems of children with stunted growth.
