News Analysis |
In an interesting and unprecedented move, Prime Minister Imran Khan has launched the Poverty Alleviation Program ‘Ehsaas’ on Wednesday. He informed the nation that ‘we are also making a new ministry which will be for social protection and poverty alleviation.’
Various institutions likes the BISP, PBM, Zakat, PPAF, etc would be working under that ministry, which would develop a one-window operation for social protection of the poor and to facilitate citizens, the premier informed.
Prime Minister Khan said that we are launching help programs for street children, and for transgender who are treated so cruelly in our society. There will be a special crackdown on bonded labor. He also said that daily laborers will be helped and protected under our Tahaffuz program. Bait-Ul-Maal will fund homes for 10,000 orphaned children. Moreover, to help women, at village levels especially…we will empower them with livestock through which they can get milk, they could feed their kids.”
The framework reportedly has been designed to address challenges of poverty, health, stunted growth, education and will enable the youth to realize their potential and extricate themselves out of the generational poverty traps.
PM Khan elaborated article-38 of the constitution of Pakistan and said that “the first change we are bringing is that article 38-D which says we must feed people, take care of their health, it is a policy in the constitution. But we are amending it and converting it into a fundamental right.”
Furthermore, PM Khan who has always been an ideologue of a welfare Islamic state emphasized the principles laid down by the Holy Prophet (P.B.H) fourteen hundred years ago. He maintained that “Pakistan is the first country that was made in the name of Islam. But what Islam teaches us and the model of Riasat-e-Madina; unfortunately no one ever researched it, we never looked into the depths of what made it such a successful society based on welfare and equality.”
Social media praised PM Khan for his passion and vision to upgrade the lives of the poor. It is worth mentioning here that PM Khan since ever he took the oath of his office has been focusing on helping poor people to live a better life.
Read more: PM Khan launches Sehat card in tribal districts
PTI leader and Federal Minister Aamer Kiani tweeted “With most of Pakistan ‘s wealth concentrated in the hands of but a few families, #Ehsas is a welcome initiative since it aims at redistributing this income amongst those who truly need and deserve it. #GhareebKaEhsas”
With most of Pakistan 's wealth concentrated in the hands of but a few families, #Ehsas is a welcome initiative since it aims at redistributing this income amongst those who truly need and deserve it.#GhareebKaEhsas
— Aamer Mehmood Kiani 🇵🇰 (@AmerMKiani) March 27, 2019
A social media user said “Poverty Alleviation Program #Ehsas seems like a great initiative by the government. It will also begin to solve problems such as homelessness, famine and unemployment. I like the practical approach of #PrimeMinisterImranKhan”
https://twitter.com/suleman_aamina/status/1110836906617683968
Fahmida Iqbal Khan, human rights activist, thanked PM Khan for taking care of transgender persons. “Thank you again #PrimeMinister @ImranKhanPTI for taking care of #transgender persons in #poverty alleviation program #Ehsas #GareebKaEhsas,” she tweeted.
Thank you again #PrimeMinister @ImranKhanPTI for taking care of #transgender persons in #poverty alleviation program #Ehsas#GareebKaEhsas https://t.co/SpxbFkG6o9
— Fahmida Iqbal Khan (@FahmidaIqbal) March 27, 2019
In November last year, PM Khan also approved a social protection framework. The framework reportedly has been designed to address challenges of poverty, health, stunted growth, education and will enable the youth to realize their potential and extricate themselves out of the generational poverty traps.
“I have asked CM Punjab to set up tents for people sleeping on footpaths and provide them food until the Panah Gahs (shelters) are built, as the weather is turning increasingly cold,” the prime minister said in a tweet.
In Pakistan, the child mortality rate is high due to unavailability of proper health facilities. PM Khan made it clear during his maiden speech that his intention was to address such core problems of Pakistan.
He recently directed the government in Punjab to provide shelters to homeless people so that they could sleep peacefully in cold winter. “I have asked CM Punjab to set up tents for people sleeping on footpaths and provide them food until the Panah Gahs (shelters) are built, as the weather is turning increasingly cold,” the prime minister said in a tweet. Political commentators, analysts, and even his political opponents acknowledged the decision of the PM and appreciated such humane action.
The PTI-led government has also introduced Sehat Card policy to provide poor people with equal health opportunities. It is worth noting that the Sehat Card includes medicinal coverage up to seven lac and twenty thousand rupees for needy people.
Read more: Pakistan’s PM takes a new initiative: Homes for Homeless
Political analysts believe that humane and people friendly policies of the incumbent government shall help PM Khan retain popular legitimacy even during the worst economic conditions. However, PTI is suggested to ponder upon out of box solutions to deal with the existing economic upheaval and high inflation.