Federal Minister & Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme, Ms Farzana Raja has stated that Pakistan is one of the countries of Saarc region which has developed its first Poverty Reduction Strategy Programme which aims, among other objectives, to protect the poor and the vulnerable and develop human capital for the 21st century.
She was addressing the South Asia Forum on 'Co-ordinating and Intensifying Poverty Alleviation Efforts' across the Saarc Region with Special Emphasis on Women and Youth' here Friday. Ms Farzana Raja further said that the PRSP introduced by the Pakistani government promotes 'Gender Responsive Budgeting' at the federal and provincial levels whereby 'Gender Budget Statements,' covering education, health and population welfare sectors, have been developed and disseminated. She also elaborated various aspects of the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), launched by the present government in Pakistan in 2008.
Ms Farzana Raja stated that the programme is the largest-ever social safety initiative of Pakistan and considered by many to be one of the most transparent safety nets across the globe. The BISP, through its innovative approaches and products, has contributed to women's social and economic empowerment in an exceptional manner by making women as the primary focus of BISP monthly cash transfers as well as other benefits such as life and health insurance and micro-finance, she added.
She said that BISP is currently providing monthly cash transfers to almost four million families but this figure is expected to rise to seven million families based on the results of the first ever nation-wide poverty score card survey whereby 27 million households in Pakistan are being surveyed to determine their welfare status.
She emphasised that the Saarc member countries should formulate policies to protect vulnerable groups of their respective societies. They need to be provided decent and dignified "safety nets" to help them maintain at least their present quality of life. She said, "Given our respective horrifying experiences with the rise of terrorism in the region, it is all the more critical that we provide necessary social support to these vulnerable segments of society lest they fall in the trap of terrorists."
Referring to growing poverty in Saarc region, Ms Farzana Raja said that the presence of conflict among Saarc countries - such as trans-boundary water issues, territorial disputes, insurgency by non-state militants, etc - also divert resources and focus of the governments away from the welfare of the people, thus further increasing poverty. She suggested multiple measures for intensifying poverty alleviation efforts, which would, in the long run, enable the member states of the Saarc to move towards a South Asia Economic Union.
She appreciated the Saarc Development Fund initiative and proposed that it may be used to further enhance co-ordination between national and regional plans for reducing socio-economic disparities within the region. She underlined the need to make efforts to increase intra-regional trade under the South Asia Free Trade Agreement from its present ratio at five percent to boast economic activity which would generate resources and employment opportunities for the neglected segments of society in the region.
She proposed that a permanent Saarc Commission might be set up to foster poverty alleviation efforts in the region through safety nets. She offered that Pakistan would be more than happy to provide hosting facility for the first two years in BISP Secretariat in Islamabad. She suggested that a fund may be set up to help identify those non-governmental organisations which are working at the grass-root level. The organisations should be encouraged to promote establishing association of the poorest of the poor in order to give voice to the neglected communities. Ms Farzana Raja also suggested establishment of Saarc Awards for recognition of the contribution of individuals and organisations in the field of social safety nets. She concluded her speech with assurance of fullest support by the Government of Pakistan in achieving the collective objectives of Saarc in removing poverty from the region.
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