ISLAMABAD, March 5: The government has formulated a comprehensive economic revival programme aimed at economic growth and social development in the country.

This was stated by Minister of State for Local Government and Rural Development Chaudhry Zafar Iqbal Warriach while speaking at the concluding session of a week-long workshop and training course on "Poverty Alleviation Through Micro-Finance".

The event was organized by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development at Abdul Hameed Khan National Centre for Rural Development and Municipal Administration here on Saturday.

The minister said the strategies for poverty alleviation followed in Pakistan had been varying. The problem of income disparity, especially at regional level, assumed alarming proportions, and it was also used by some politicians as their manifesto for obtaining public support.

Regarding Micro-Finance Programme, the minister said it was considered an affective instrument and a sustainable strategy for poverty alleviation.

The uneven diffusion of income is nothing new, but first, a beginning has to be made in rural areas to restore self- esteem and confidence of the poor, especially women. A partnership between the public sector and NGOs can bring a massive change, the minister said.

He appreciated the efforts of the AHK National Centre for Rural Development and Municipal Administration for organizing a training programme on the subject. He said the centre was playing a vital role in the capacity building of the stakeholders involved in the development process at grassroots level besides interaction with rural communities through research programmes.