KARACHI, July 4: The present government is pursuing the goal of improving the quality of life of the people and for this it has adopted a multi-pronged approach.

This was stated by the Sindh governor, Mohammedmian Soomro, while speaking at the concluding session of the seminar on the role of the universities in alleviation of poverty.

The two-day moot was held at the Governor’s House under the auspices of the Civil Society Forum.

Mr Soomro said the educational institutions could play an effective role in the betterment of the people as well as of society.

He said the universities were the repository of talent, ideas and dedicated manpower, and we should fully tap this immense resource for poverty alleviation and to help bring about improvements in the lot of the people.

He spelled out the steps initiated by the government for alleviating poverty and also cited the examples of Khushhali Bank, Small and Medium Enterprise Bank, Khushhal Pakistan Programme etc.

Mr Soomro suggested that small funds could also be created in neighbourhoods and towns to help improve the quality of life of the people.

He said there was a need for gaining confidence of the people to fight poverty and that awareness as well tolerance should be fostered among the people.

The governor said the government was also working for improving the lot of the women.

He also praised the devotion and commitment of the participants of the seminar and gave away shields to those who took part.

There were 28 speakers drawn from 23 universities of the province at the two-day moot.

The host of the seminar, Brig S.A. Nasir, said speeches of all the speakers had printed in the form of a book which he termed ‘a textbook on poverty alleviation’.

He announced that a meeting had been convened at Karachi University on July 17 where each university would bring its programme of poverty alleviation.

Mr Nasir further stated that a seminar would also be organized on Aug 27 and 28 during which models would be put on display for public inspection.

Earlier, in his speech the chancellor of Baqai University, Dr F.U. Baqai, suggested that the universities should establish departments of poverty alleviation and that a chair should also be created for the purpose.

He also stressed that a time-table should be set in the fight against poverty to achieve the goal that had been set for the purpose.

The vice-chancellor of Karachi University, Prof Dr Zafar Saeed Saifi, said his institution had been extending help to the community as well as to the poor.

He also announced that Rs2 billion had been raised for setting up eight world-class institutes at Karachi University.

—APP