ISLAMABAD: The World Bank will continue supporting Pakistan’s social protection and poverty alleviation initiatives under the Ehsaas programme to help the poorest of the poor families live an honourable life.

This assurance was extended by a team of the international financial institution on Wednesday during a meeting with Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection Programme Dr Sania Nishtar.

WB’s South Asia Regional Vice-President Hartwig Schafer, who led the delegation, praised the Ehsaas 50 per cent plus benefits policy for women and girls.

The policy was aimed at creating a socio-cultural and economic environment conducive for women and girls so that they could participate in all spheres of public and private life. The meeting discussed the bank’s ongoing engagements with the government’s Ehsaas programme.

“Many lessons can be learnt by the developed and developing countries from the social protection and poverty alleviation experience of this social safety net,” Mr Schafer commented.

Dr Sania Nishtar briefed them on the deep-rooted reforms embedded in the design and rollout of the Ehsaas programmes, policies, reforms and initiatives.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2021