Pakistan president, PM vow to provide decent livelihoods for all Pakistanis
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says his government is working to ensure decent livelihood opportunities for all citizens.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has pledged to provide decent livelihood opportunities to every national, the state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported on Saturday.
On the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, the prime minister said the government was pursuing an integrated strategy linking social protection with human development, skills training, employment and economic empowerment to improve the living standards of vulnerable segments of society.
He said the government was strengthening the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) to provide direct financial assistance to deserving families.
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The National Socio-Economic Registry and Digital Social Protection Wallet are aimed at improving transparency, preventing exploitation and ensuring effective delivery of assistance.
Highlighting the importance of affordable housing, Sharif said the government was facilitating access to housing finance, particularly for economically vulnerable citizens, through the Prime Minister’s Apna Ghar Scheme.
The initiative aims to expand financial assistance for constructing and purchasing affordable homes, amid housing shortages aggravated by climate-related disasters, including floods and heavy rainfall.
The prime minister said promoting the social and economic well-being of citizens was a constitutional responsibility and reflected Pakistan’s commitment to establishing a welfare state.
He said the government was also working to provide equal access to education and vocational training to help citizens secure sustainable livelihoods.
Through the Daanish Schools System, talented children across the country are being provided quality education and comprehensive care regardless of their socioeconomic backgrounds, he said.
The National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) has also been strengthened to equip young people with internationally aligned technical competencies and marketable skills, while initiatives such as the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, Uraan Pakistan, Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal and the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund are supporting poverty reduction and livelihood development.
Sharif said decent employment, entrepreneurship and economic opportunities for young people were essential to eradicating poverty. He added that government initiatives were also aimed at addressing shortages and deprivation in housing, energy, healthcare and education.
The government was committed to improving the economic well-being of children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and other disadvantaged groups, he said.
The prime minister said eradicating poverty was a shared national responsibility requiring collective efforts by federal and provincial governments, development partners, civil society, the private sector and local communities.
He called for renewed efforts to build a socially and economically secure Pakistan where every citizen could benefit from development and prosperity.
At the global level, the United Nations is observing its 2026-2028 campaign under the theme “United for Peace and Human Rights,” with “A Safe Home for All” as the sub-theme for 2026. The campaign highlights the links between poverty eradication, human rights, social justice and access to safe and dignified housing.