Islamabad: On the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, Shazia Marri, Central Spokesperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians, emphasized the need for renewed efforts to protect and empower the country’s vulnerable populations. She highlighted the impact of economic and environmental challenges, which have exacerbated poverty and increased hardship for many households.
Marri underscored the importance of building resilience and strength among low-income families as a cornerstone of sustainable development. She pointed to social protection programs as crucial mechanisms for helping impoverished families recover from crises and lead dignified lives.
The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), launched in 2008 by President Asif Ali Zardari, was highlighted as a key initiative in this effort. Conceived under the vision of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, BISP aims to provide economic support to the poorest families. Through this program, millions of women have been able to contribute to household stability and improve their living standards.
BISP’s Unconditional Cash Transfers reach 9.8 million families, while Conditional Cash Transfers provide educational support to 11 million children and health benefits to 2.8 million pregnant women and young children. Marri noted that these efforts are vital in the face of economic instability and natural disasters, which have heightened the vulnerability of impoverished families.
Marri concluded by reaffirming the commitment to fostering a strong, dignified, and inclusive Pakistan, emphasizing that true progress can only be achieved by empowering the nation’s weakest segments with confidence and resilience.