Punjab Finance Minister Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha has said that the provincial government is taking steps for economic empowerment of women. While addressing a two-day workshop on "Punjab Capital Investment Project" organised by joint technical mission of World Bank and DFID, Dr Ayesha said the Punjab government wants to bring every citizen in its economic circle.
According to her, the Punjab Social Protection Authority was established in the light of sustainable development goals for investment on young generation, women, children and special person so that they may earn their livelihood independently. The Human Capital Investment Project (HCI) ensures that all these prospects are part of priorities of the Punjab government, she added.
After transmission of 1500 monthly scholarship to more than 90,000 special persons initially through Khidmat card, now the Punjab Social Protection Authority has started income generation programme in collaboration with the Punjab Small Industries Corporation due to which interest-free loans are being extended to disable persons after technical training so that they may start their business, she added.
She said that cows and buffalos are being provided to women living in rural areas for provision of under the livestock and dairy development programme. Scholarships are being distributed among more than 46,000 girls of under-developed areas and poor families for their initial education under Khadim-e-Aala Zewar-e-Taleem Programme, she added.
Practice Manager Stefano Paternostro depicted the key points under the capital investment project while appreciating the efforts of Punjab government for social protection.
The chief executive officer of the Social Protection Authority told the audience that the Punjab government will work on three programmes under human capital investment project with the World Bank in which health and nutrition plan for new born children and pregnant mother, economic inclusion of women and capacity building of for social protection are included.
Task team leader and senior economist from World Bank Yoonyung Cho suggested solutions of problems while explaining the objectives of project. Dr Sohail Anwar threw light on particulars and methods of different departments while Director Social Protection Authority Programme Waqar Azeem highlighted health and nutrition programme.