*PM tells tough times ‘over’ for Pakistan
Prime Minister Imran Khan said that Pakistan’s tough days are now behind it and Pakistan is on the right track. PM made the comment while introducing the Rs15 billion ‘Ehsaas Amdan Programme’ in Layyah, Punjab. The Amdan (income) Program is one of various programs launched under this government’s Ehsaas initiative — a broad-based program to lift the most vulnerable out of poverty. The Program is aimed at creating respectable livelihood opportunities for those that are the most disadvantaged. It involves giving away of small assets to those who live below the poverty line so that they can earn a living and lift themselves out of poverty. Assets include livestock, agricultural inputs, Qingqi rickshaws, and inputs for small retail outlets and small enterprises. In his address, the Prime Minister Imran Khan, speaking to an audience of the program’s beneficiaries, referred to the hard economic situations that continue to persist. He explained that the government of Pakistan was constrained in offering relief because it had to return interest and payments due on previous loans, or risk a default. “If Pakistan had defaulted, the price of everything would have doubled,” he explained. Expressing optimism, Imran Khan urged that Pakistan now seemed to be on the right track and noted that the rupee was not devaluing any more. Imran Khan said that the current account deficit has declined and the stock market is performing better, adding that in the near future the nation will get more good news. Addressing the gathering, Imran Khan also urged that the government of Pakistan has introduced the program — which he defined as “the first of its kind” in the country — to alleviate the suffering of the poorest members of society. “For women, we have planned that we will give them one cow, one buffalo and three goats so that they can run their household [with their produce],” Imran said. He further said that every month, the government of Pakistan will give out interest-free loans to almost 80,000 people. Commenting on other measures to assist the most vulnerable, he said: “Pakistan has made 180 shelters so far and continue to build more of them.” He said that under the program, the poor will be given funds to hire a lawyer for their cases. “Six million citizens will be given health cards,” Imran Khan added. Speaking on the education system, Imran Khan said that attempts are underway to implement a single-curriculum across the country’s institutions. The PM lamented that whatever has happened in Pakistan so far, led to the rich becoming richer while the poor continued to fall financially.
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Earlier, Dr Sania Nishter, the main architect of the Ehsaas program, shared the details of the project, which will commence in 375 rural union councils in 23 of the poorest districts across the four provinces of Pakistan. The program has set a target of offering almost 200,000 assets to deserving households (60% to women and 30% to youth beneficiaries). The scale of the program will be slowly improved based on results. This program is complimentary to Ehsaas Kafaalat, operations of which commenced on January 31, 2020 and through which the government would offer cash stipends of Rs2,000 to almost 7.0 million most deserving women by end 2020. It is also important to note that beneficiaries of both the Kafaalat Program and the Ehsaas Amdan Program have been shortlisted by a survey using the Poverty Score Card, so that only the most deserving benefit from them. The Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), which is an organization attached to the Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division, is the lead implementing agency for the Ehsaas Amdan Program, and is working by partner organizations that have a strong presence in the selected districts. Community procurement processes have been organized through PPAF to ensure transparency and accountability in the identification, selection and procurement of all assets and/or vocational skills training. Those Beneficiaries that require vocational training are supported to attend courses offered through certified technical training institutes. Training on asset utilization and business planning are also offered to eligible household members to assist them turn the asset into an economically productive enterprise. Asset recipient households are also supported to access the Ehsaas interest-free loan window if it is available in their area, and if they believe they require additional financing for business enhancement. Statistics showed that beneficiaries are identified by a community engagement process in the 375 union councils and villages of 23 districts where this program has been introduced. Districts in Punjab, where this program is commencing, include Dera Ghazi Khan, Jhang and Layyah. In KPK, there are 10 districts which will advantage as part of the initial launch. In Balochistan there are three districts. In Sindh the districts include Badin, Thatta, Sujawal, Kashmore, Shikarpur, Tharparkar and Umerkot. These districts were selected based on a special study which was conducted through PPAF in which three parameters were taken into consideration: level of human development, level of poverty, and level of food insecurity.