PM Shehbaz launches anti-poverty initiativeپاکستان

<h2>A Safe Home for All</h2> According to the statement, the day is being observed globally under a United Nations three-year campaign for 2026-2028, themed &#8220;United for Peace and Human Rights,&#8221; with the 2026 sub-theme &#8220;A Safe Home for All.&#8221; The prime minister said the themes underlined the importance of collective action to end poverty and build a peaceful and just society.

The statement said economic prosperity, adequate food supplies and safe housing were among the essential outcomes of poverty alleviation, adding that safe and dignified housing was fundamental to citizens&#8217; well-being.

On housing, the prime minister said the government was expanding access to affordable homes, particularly for economically vulnerable families, through easy financing under the Prime Minister&#8217;s Apna Ghar Scheme. He noted that besides financial constraints, climate change effects such as floods and heavy rainfall were also adding to the housing shortage in the country.

<h2>Constitutional duty and welfare state</h2> The statement said promoting the social and economic well-being of the people was a constitutional responsibility of the government, and that the Constitution of Pakistan reflected a national commitment to building a welfare state. In fulfilment of that obligation, the prime minister said, the government was pursuing an integrated strategy linking social protection with human development, skills enhancement, livelihood opportunities, employment and economic empowerment.

The prime minister said the government continued to strengthen and sustain the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) as a key social safety net providing direct financial assistance to deserving families. He said the launch of the National Socio-Economic Registry and the Digital Social Protection Wallet was intended to protect beneficiaries from exploitation and bring transparency to the delivery of assistance.

<h2>Education, skills and livelihoods</h2> To help citizens build sustainable livelihoods, the prime minister said the government was working to ensure equal access to education and technical and vocational training. He said talented children from all backgrounds were receiving quality education and comprehensive care through the Daanish Schools System, while the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) had been further strengthened to equip young people with internationally aligned technical skills.

He said initiatives such as the Prime Minister&#8217;s Youth Programme, &#8220;Uraan Pakistan,&#8221; Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal and the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) were aimed at reducing poverty by improving livelihoods and strengthening infrastructure &#8211; efforts that, he said, would also help address deprivations in housing, energy, healthcare and education.

The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan&#8217;s commitment to concerted and practical measures at national and global levels to eradicate poverty, reduce inequality and ensure equitable development opportunities.

Calling on all segments of society to renew their resolve, the prime minister said that through collective efforts, Pakistan could be made socially and economically secure and firmly set on the path to progress and prosperity.