Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Syed Imran Ahmed Shah, has said that a prosperous Balochistan is key to the dream of a developed Pakistan. He was addressing a ceremony organized under the Poverty Alleviation GRASP (Growth for Rural Advancement and Sustainable Progress) initiative, themed on empowering women in the agricultural sector.
The event was attended by Balochistan Governor Sheikh Jaffar Khan Mandokhail, Provincial Minister for Education Ms. Raheela Durrani, members of civil society, dignitaries, and other prominent figures
.
The Federal Minister stated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attaches special priority to the development of Balochistan, and that his current visit has been undertaken on the Prime Minister’s directive to personally assess the region’s challenges—particularly those affecting children and girls—and to work closely with all stakeholders, especially the provincial government, for meaningful solutions.
“My heart beats with Balochistan,” he remarked, reaffirming his commitment to uplift the province’s youth, especially women and girls, through targeted poverty alleviation measures.
On the occasion, the Minister announced 200 scholarships for underprivileged students of the Women University, along with 100 sewing machines for deserving women and 100 wheelchairs for disabled individuals of Balochistan. He further highlighted that Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal is providing health assistance worth up to Rs. 1.5 million to facilitate critical medical support.
“Through inclusive development rooted in education and social safety, we not only transform lives but directly attack the roots of poverty,” he asserted.
Elaborating on the broader understanding of poverty, the Minister noted, “At the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, we believe poverty is not just about income deprivation; it is about marginalization, lack of opportunity, and unequal access to resources.”
He especially lauded the efforts of the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), implemented under the GRASP project – a six-year initiative funded by the European Union, managed by the International Trade Centre, and executed in collaboration with FAO and PPAF.
The project spans 22 underprivileged and underserved districts across Pakistan, including 12 in Sindh and 10 in Balochistan, aiming to eradicate rural poverty and promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth. The core focus is to create equal income and employment opportunities for both men and women and to enhance productivity and profitability of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) engaged in primary production, services, and value addition.
The Minister underscored the tangible impact of the program under which 399 matching grants worth approximately Rs. 1.52 billion have directly supported rural entrepreneurs. 24 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed with financial institutions.
13 financial institutions have been supported through credit guarantee schemes, resulting in 22 institutions now offering specialized financial services under the project.
“Capacity building has remained a cornerstone of our strategy,” he said, citing that 1,271 individuals received training in financial literacy and business planning, enabling them to establish sustainable and profitable ventures. Notably, 48% of these were women-owned enterprises, effectively fostering financial inclusion and promoting economic empowerment of rural women.
“These achievements affirm that poverty alleviation and inclusive development are not solitary pursuits,” he added. “Only through coordinated efforts among government, international partners, civil society, and the private sector can we build a future where every Pakistani has equal access to opportunity.”
In conclusion, the Federal Minister reaffirmed his Ministry’s commitment to strengthening partnerships, expanding the social safety net, and scaling initiatives like GRASP to transform lives with planning, purpose, and resolve—ultimately paving the way toward a poverty-free Pakistan.
