ISLAMABAD, Feb 20: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Monday said government is taking several steps to help vulnerable sections of the society including special persons, handicapped children, widows and senior citizens to enable them lead a respectable life in the society.

Talking to Dr Fatima Mohammed Al-Balooshi, Bahrains’ Minister for Social Welfare who called on him here at the Prime Minister House, Shaukat Aziz said the government was keen to provide adequate opportunities to the vulnerable sections of the society so that they could realize their true potential.

He said the government was focusing on providing them income generation opportunities on sustainable basis to inculcate in them a sense of accomplishment and pride.

The Prime Minister said the government was specially focusing on providing micro-credit facilities and setting up “one village on product” to promote traditional handicraft skills especially in the rural areas.

He said efforts are also being made to impart skills to the less privileged women in the society to enhance their status in the society.

The Prime Minister said, “Economic empowerment was vital to enhance the status of women as economic independence substantially adds to their respect in the society.”

He appreciated the role of Ministry of Social Welfare for the rehabilitation of vulnerable belonging to the earthquake affected areas. He also commended the civil society and Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) for contributing to the government’s efforts in the relief, rescue and rehabilitation work.

“Many NGOs worked in a tremendous manner in the relief and rescue phase and showed a lot of passion in their work,” the Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister said Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education has the responsibility to ensure settlement of the children, women and senior citizens and providing treatment to them.

He directed the Ministry to ensure that orphans from the earthquake affected areas were not offered for adoption and are instead provided safe environment in the government or the government approved institutions.

Dr. Fatima Mohammed Al-Balooshi appreciated the social welfare work being done in Pakistan.

She said during her visit she would look into the possibilities of enhanced cooperation in various programmes related to social welfare and hoped the two countries would be able to learn from each other’s experiences.