On this day today, I want to emphasis on Government of Pakistan’s commitment for eradicating poverty from the country in all its forms and dimensions as embodied in Goal#1 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It remains one of the top priorities of our government and greatest challenge in this difficult time when we are already experiencing one of the worst floods in the country’s history resulting in high inflation which is expected to raise national poverty rate of Pakistan by 2.5 to 4.0 percentage points.
On this day, we must join hands to make ‘Building Forward Better’ Pakistan with more transformative, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable approach. For this we are focusing on stimulating economic reforms and growth programs to enhance the efficiency and utilization of resources and to provide employment opportunities especially to the most marginalized. Economic development without equity has been challenged time and again. Covid-19 and the recent floods have exposed gaps in the development equation at regional, provincial, and national level.
The Government of Pakistan therefore aims to uplift the less developed districts of the country in close collaboration with the provinces, private sector, donor agencies and international development partners. It envisages to alleviate extreme poverty in these districts across Pakistan through catalytic utilization of resources that address the perpetuating disparities adversely affecting the national performance. This resolve manifests in Federal Government’s allocation of Rs.40 billion as umbrella fund for the marginalized and vulnerable population. The fund will ensure sufficient domestic financing commitments for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals.
Let’s join hands together to make continuous efforts to eradicate poverty so that everyone can live life with dignity, respect, peace, and prosperity for a sustainable planet.
Source: Ministry Planning Development & Special Initiatives