ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has stressed the need for effective social protection, decent employment opportunities and equitable access to essential services to reduce poverty, saying that vulnerable families must be protected and every citizen should have opportunities for a better life and a more secure future.
In his message on the occasion of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, the president said that strengthening social protection systems, expanding employment opportunities and improving access to education, healthcare and adequate housing were essential to easing the hardships faced by disadvantaged families.
He emphasised that every family should have meaningful opportunities to improve its circumstances and build a more secure future.
President Zardari described the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) as an important component of Pakistan’s efforts to combat poverty. He said the programme provides financial assistance to economically vulnerable households, particularly women, helping low-income families meet their basic needs and cope with financial pressures.
He stressed that lasting poverty reduction requires not only financial assistance but also measures that enable families to improve their livelihoods and move towards greater economic self-reliance.
Safe Housing for All a Key Priority
The president said this year’s theme for the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, “Safe Housing for All,” held particular significance for Pakistan.
Referring to the devastating floods of 2022, he said the disaster had deprived countless families of their homes, livelihoods and assets accumulated through generations of hard work.
He said the suffering of flood-affected families, particularly women, children and older people who suddenly found themselves without shelter, could not be forgotten.
Housing Reconstruction for Flood Victims in Sindh
President Zardari appreciated the efforts of the Sindh government to rehabilitate flood-affected communities, highlighting the Sindh People’s Housing for Flood Affectees (SPHF) programme.
He said the initiative aims to construct 2.1 million climate-resilient houses for families affected by the floods. A substantial number of homes have already been completed, while reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts continue across the province.
Development Must Improve Lives in Tharparkar
The president said development in areas such as Tharparkar should be assessed by the extent to which it improves the lives of local communities.
He identified access to clean drinking water, quality education, healthcare facilities and reliable employment opportunities as essential factors in improving the circumstances of economically vulnerable families.
He emphasised that the benefits of development should translate into a better standard of living and greater opportunities for people to meet their families’ needs.
President Highlights Economic Equality and Workers’ Rights
Referring to the agricultural reforms and labour-related measures introduced during the tenure of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, President Zardari said these initiatives reflected efforts to reduce economic inequality and improve the position of workers and tenant farmers.
He said this historical experience underscored the importance of ensuring that the benefits of economic growth reach ordinary citizens and contribute to improving living standards across all segments of society.
The president further noted that families facing financial hardship often struggle to keep their children in school, access essential healthcare and secure adequate housing.
He said poverty alleviation policies and initiatives should address these everyday challenges and provide practical support to those in need.
‘No Child Should Go to Bed Hungry’: President’s Vision for a Prosperous Pakistan
President Zardari called for sustained efforts to reduce poverty through stronger social protection, decent employment and fair access to essential services. He reiterated that every family should have genuine opportunities to improve its circumstances and build a safer future.
Concluding his message, the president expressed his vision of a Pakistan where no child goes to bed hungry, no mother fears for her family’s future, no elderly person is left to face hardship alone, and no young person is denied the opportunity to build a better life.
