Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday launched a poverty alleviation programme "Ehsaas" and promised to amend the Article 38 (D) of the Constitution for making food, shelter, health and cloth as fundamental rights of the people and increase spending in the backward districts to Rs 80 billion.
Addressing the poverty alleviation programme ''Ehsas'', the Prime Minister also stated that welfare State of Median that had treated the poor and the weak with compassion is an example for the Muslims who are suffering because of departure from the principles of the State of Medina. The Prime Minister said that this is the first step in the right direction to move towards a welfare state by taking responsibility of the poor and weak segments. He said, "We are increasing spending for backward areas to Rs 80 billion and this amount would be increased incrementally to Rs 120 billion."
"A new ministry namely Social Protection & Poverty Alleviation is being created and that would be tasked to coordinate with all the departments helping the people from one platform," he said. Additionally, he said, a database would be completed by December 2019 that would provide accurate number of the poor people in the county and enable the government to launch a countrywide campaign against poverty.
"The government would provide cash to 5.7 million women through saving accounts along with a mobile phone to have access to their bank account." He said that stipend of cash transfer will be increased from Rs 5,000 to Rs 5,500. Khan continued that Tahafuz Programme would be available at a call distance to the people in difficulty for legal aid as well as educational grants and health facility to those who do not have Insaf Health Cards.
Under the platform ''Tahafuz'', he said the government will also provide financial help to widows, said the Prime Minister and added, "We will also coordinate with the non-governmental organisations to provide assistance to bonded labourers, gipsies, and members of transgender community, etc.
The Prime Minister stated that Bait-ul-Maal will also be directed to build sweet homes for 10,000 orphans and a nine-point policy is also being developed for those with stunted growth from starting campaign to foring a multi-sectoral nutrition coordination body to oversee the nutrition programme across the country. He also stated the government has decided to help the poor women in rural areas by providing them goats and chicken, as this is tried and tested model across the world, as well as seeds for kitchen gardening.
The Prime Minister regretted that a survey revealed that 75 percent open milk being sold is not drinkable and the government will soon initiate a drive against it in Lahore and Karachi.
He said that clusters will also be established to facilitate the people in backward districts and announced to increase the Employees'' Old-Age Benefit Institution (EOBI) pension to Rs 6,200 from Rs 5,200 and biometric system will be introduced to ensure transparency in it. "We will construct 5,000 houses for the poor, 500 digital hubs are being made in various backward districts, while Rs 5 billion have been earmarked for special programme namely Panah Gah," he added.
The Prime Minister said that Article 25 of the Constitution provides the children right of education and where the government schools are not available, the government will provide them the vouchers while e-learning is also being introduced. He said Rs 3 billion will be provided to Higher Education Commission (HEC) for backward district.
The Prime Minister said that to exploit overseas market, NAVTEC will also be involved to provide various skilled training to the youth. He said that without women participation, no government can progress and the government will help women in rural areas as well. "We are trying to provide equal opportunities to female. Technical and vocational training is most important priority areas of the government and it will be started from school level, he added.
The Prime Minister also came down hard on the opposition and stated that ''revenge of democracy'' has increased the country''s debt to Rs 30 trillion from Rs 6 trillion during the last ten years and now the government is paying Rs 6 billion daily for debt servicing of loans. As the discussion on NFC Award has been started, the federal government would try to ensure that backward districts are provided increased resources in the provincial NFC awards. Agriculture and livestock sectors are priorities of the government because of huge potential, especially in exports of Halal meat. He said that Pakistan will get help from China in fisheries.
The Prime Minister stated that safety net for labour will be ensured as there are no rights for the workers in informal sector and houses to do away with the exploitation. "We have to think creatively how to increase the income of the people. We are also thinking to involve rickshaws for garbage disposal," he said. The Prime Minister also cited the example of China in lifting 700 million people out of poverty trap in 30 years and congratulated Dr Sania Nishtar for developing a first of its kind programme in the country.
Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Dr Sania Nishtar said that the plan is about equality and opportunity for all, and lifting lagging areas at par with developed parts of the country in order to make sure that no one is left behind.
"It''s about investments in human capital. It''s about girls'' education, and economic empowerment of millions of women. It''s all about financial inclusion and access to digital services," she maintained. In the same breath, Dr Nishtar continued that the programme is all about poverty alleviation not just through the safety net approach but also through job creation in areas where there are quick wins.
She said that the programme would be tapping whole of government, ensuring joint federal-provincial leadership, and mainstreaming the role of the private sector through an approach which will provide a level playing field on the one hand, and foster locally relevant innovation on the other.
Besides, she said that the principle resonates with the spirit of the sustainable development agenda. She said that the success of this plan will hinge on two factors: the speed with which Pakistan will control its population control; and the effectiveness of reform of governance, especially curbing elite capture. "Our Prime Minister is personally committed to both these areas," she declared. A short documentary was also screened on the issue of children with stunted growth on the occasion.