ISLAMABAD – “Ehsaas-the flagship poverty alleviation initiative ofPakistan’s government continues to deliver positive change for the peopleof Pakistan and has laid the foundations to become a global model forreducing poverty”.
This was a key message of a new and independent report published Thursdayby Delivery Associates, a globally respected firm that works withgovernments across the world to achieve measurable developmental impact.
The Ehsaas report titled, ‘The Ehsaas Program: Shift from politics ofpatronage to politics of performance’ penned by Sir Michael Barber,Chairman and Founder of Delivery Associates was unveiled through a pressconference held here on Thursday with Special Assistant to the PrimeMinister of Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Sania Nishtarand Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Shibli Faraz.
Sir Michael Barber was connecting virtually from UK to unveil the Ehsaasreport stated that “Our analysis shows that Ehsaas, by focusing onaccountability and impact, has laid the foundations for becoming a globallyleading exemplar on how to tackle poverty”.
“I have had the honour of working with successive Pakistani governmentsthroughout my career, and it is fantastic to see Ehsaas embedded at theheart of the current administration”, he said.
“The Ehsaas team, under the strong leadership and unwavering integrity ofPrime Minister Imran Khan and Dr. Sania Nishtar, made huge progress indelivering a multi-dimensional poverty alleviation program in just a year”,he said.
“The reforms and structural changes pioneered by the team resulted in therapid delivery of Ehsaas Emergency Cash to 12 million households againstthe challenging and unprecedented backdrop of COVID-19. Their work is goingto be vital in the coming months and years, Sir Michael Babar said.”
The report has reflected the four pillars of the multi-dimensionalanti-poverty program-Ehsaas which include addressing elite capture andstrengthening governance, safety net, human capital development and jobsand livelihoods.
The report has also mentioned the way Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Imran Khanhas shown his commitment to end poverty through giving full patronage tothe Ehsaas program which not only addresses symptoms of poverty but itscauses also, Sir Michael Babar said.
Ehsaas is a comprehensive and ambitious program which focuses on povertyalleviation as well as social security at a time.
Sir Michael Babar also mentioned that removal of 800,000 people fromprevious Benazir Income Support Program beneficiaries list to make suremoney was actually going to the deserving people also reflect governmentcommitment to ensure transparency.
Speaking during the press conference, Special Assistant to the PrimeMinister on Social Protection Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Sania Nishtar said“This is a comprehensive and timely report from Delivery Associates, whichhelps us to reflect on the achievements of the Ehsaas program in its firstyear, while paving the way for continued success,”.
“This analysis will help us to stay focused on our goal of ending povertyin Pakistan and improved delivery for all of our beneficiaries, with thehope that Ehsaas can eventually be a model for the world”, she furtheradded.
The report also praises the program’s use of technology and data, whichunderpin monitoring routines designed to ensure robust governancediscipline throughout its operations.
This includes a new data dashboard, openly displayed on the Ehsaas website,which uses a traffic light system to track progress on different strands ofthe program, highlighting progress and improving transparency.
The report analyses the first year of the government’s flagship program,Ehsaas. The report outlined the initial steps taken to establish theprogram to be transparent, multi-sectoral and results-driven as well ashighlighted some of the major achievements to date.
The report among other programs, commended the Ehsaas Kafaalat whichprovides unconditional cash transfers to millions of the poorest women,Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarships, which awards over 50,000 scholarships ayear to students from disadvantaged background and Ehsaas Nashonuma, aconditional cash transfers to increase uptake of health and nutrition.
The report also mentioned an extensive process of governance reformscommenced in Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division and itsimplementing agencies to deliver Ehsaas.
The Ehsaas Governance and Integrity Policy was approved by the Cabinet onNovember 12, 2019 to ensure those organizations involved in delivery ofwelfare are effective and responsive to the needs of those who they aremandated to serve. Also, Governance observatory and multi-stakeholdermonitoring were introduced.
Sir Michael Babar is one of the world’s leading education reformers, andfrom 2001 to 2005 was Chief Advisor on Delivery to Prime Minister TonyBlair.
Delivery Associates is based in the UK and works with government leadersfrom over 40 countries. It works in partnership with governments, publicbodies and other organisations to build measurable value for as many peopleas possible.
There are teams on the ground in twenty different countries around theworld, with twenty-four different nationalities represented and twentydifferent languages spoken.