Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Syed Imran Ahmad Shah, accompanied by Consul General of Pakistan in Chicago Zaman Mehdi, visited the headquarters of the Zakat Foundation of America. Upon arrival, the Minister was warmly received by the Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer Khalil Demir, Advisor Planning and Development Farukh Raza, and members of the Foundation’s team.
During the visit, CEO Khalil Demir briefed the Federal Minister on the Foundation’s global humanitarian initiatives. Through a documentary presentation, the Minister was informed that the Foundation is operating in more than 40 countries, providing orphan care, disaster relief, education for out-of-school children, access to clean drinking water, skills development, rehabilitation services, mental health support, and a wide range of humanitarian programmes.
The Federal Minister thanked the Zakat Foundation of America for inviting him to participate in the Turkish Cultural Festival. He appreciated the Foundation’s global humanitarian contributions and commended its welfare initiatives and services in Pakistan.
Highlighting the performance of his Ministry, Syed Imran Ahmad Shah said that, under the vision of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety is supporting vulnerable families across the country through a range of social protection programmes. He said that institutions working under the Ministry are implementing initiatives aimed at poverty reduction, financial inclusion, skills development, healthcare, education, and social welfare to improve the lives of deserving citizens.
The Minister emphasized that the Government’s priority is to ensure that deserving individuals have access to quality healthcare, education, and sustainable livelihood opportunities. Both sides also expressed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in the areas of poverty alleviation, human development, and social welfare in Pakistan.
At the conclusion of the visit, the Federal Minister invited the leadership of the Zakat Foundation of America to visit Pakistan. Prominent members of the Pakistani diaspora in Chicago were also present on the occasion.
