Karachi, Altaf Shakoor, the Chairman of the Pasban Democratic Party (PDP), has called on the Pakistani government to focus on empowering poor families through sustainable solutions rather than making them dependent on welfare schemes.

According to Pasban Democratic Party, Shakoor criticized the government’s current approach to poverty alleviation, which relies heavily on programs like the PPP’s Benazir Income Scheme and PTI’s Ehsas Program. He argued that these programs, while politically motivated, do not truly empower the poor but rather seek to secure their political loyalty. Shakoor urged the abandonment of such programs, which he believes are more effective at buying loyalty and votes than effecting real change in the nation.

Instead, Shakoor proposed an alternative strategy: distributing free solar panels to poor villagers. He explained that this move would not only lighten the load on the main power grid but also reduce the country’s energy import bill and foster technological awareness in rural areas. The investment in solar technology, he claimed, would be recuperated through savings on oil imports.

Shakoor emphasized the importance of job-generating activities and noted that providing low-income households with free solar panels could significantly reduce their monthly energy expenses. The money saved could then be used for essential needs like food and education. He advocated for the adoption of solar energy at the household level to meet energy needs.

Furthermore, Shakoor suggested that introducing energy-saving technologies in rural areas could revolutionize the agricultural sector, potentially making Pakistan a major grain producer in the region. He stressed that welfare programs only increase dependency among the poor, rather than providing them with the means to improve their economic situation. Shakoor expressed hope that the next elected government would discontinue the politically motivated welfare schemes and redirect those funds towards the empowerment of low-income families.