Government Initiative

*Imran Khan plans to enlarge scope of Panagah

Prime Minister Imran Khan has decided to enlarge the scope of his initiative of Panagah in Pakistan, with a vision to develop the country as an Islamic welfare state, through giving cover of social protection to poor segments of the society. Prime Minister made the statement during a meeting with his newly appointed focal person on Panagah Naseem-ur-Rehman in Islamabad. Sources recorded that they discussed the administration of shelter homes and the steps to enlarge the project during next twelve months. According to a PM office statement, a twelve month long comprehensive program will be introduced in all major cities in Pakistan under which the shelter homes project will be expanded. The office of focal person will assist in establishment of a multifaceted partnership with non-governmental and community based organizations, private sector and philanthropists. It is also to note that the Punjab government converted former finance minister Ishaq Dar’s house into a Panagah [shelter]. A signboard was placed outside the minister’s residence in Lahore, and the district administration put beds in all 12 rooms of the 4-kanal and 17 marla house. The shelter, which is run by the Department of Social Welfare, will be able to accommodate a total of 50 people. On the other hand in the economic survey of Pakistan during FY2019, it is clearly recorded that through the government of Pakistan the social protection schemes assist in mitigating vulnerability, reducing poverty, and offering reasonable healthcare and insurance to low-income families. Constitution of Pakistan’s Article 38 (d) obligates the state to offer basic necessities of life like food, clothing, housing, education and medical relief to the needy irrespective of sex, caste, creed or race. The present government’s vision for social protection is to develop an integrated and comprehensive social protection platform focused on the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable. Social Safety Nets (SSNs) are the core components of social protection which have emerged as a significant policy option for reducing poverty. According to the World Bank Report on “The State of Social Safety Nets 2018”, more than 77 percent countries have opted Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) programs while 42 percent have implemented Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programs. To achieve “No Poverty” by 2030 is a part of a comprehensive SDG Agenda-1 that calls to end (extreme) poverty in all its manifestations through ensuring social protection for the poor and vulnerable, rise access to basic services, and support people from economic, social, and environmental shocks. According to national definitions, reduce at least through half the proportion of men, women and children from poverty in all dimensions by 2030. Over the last decades, Pakistan’s poverty headcount has recorded a persistent fall both at national and regional levels as well as in rural and urban regions. In Pakistan, Cost of Basic Needs (CBN) approach is being utilized as the official measure of poverty. According to this approach, percentage of people living below poverty line has fallen from 50.4 percent in 2005-06 to 24.3 percent in 2015-16 on the basis of well targeted poverty reduction programs. The present government has taken protecting the poor and marginalized society from economic, social and environment shocks as the priority agenda through enlarging the coverage of social safety net programs beyond their traditional areas, streamlining the conditional cash transfers and organizing appropriate graduation programs.

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