NEW YORK: Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government was taking steps to address poverty and help the underprivileged to gain access to education, employment and health care, said Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UN, Maleeha Lodhi.
Speaking in the annual session of the Commission for Social Development, Maleeha Lodhi, detailed priorities of the government and emphasized its commitment to the socio-economic welfare of the people especially the marginalised sections of society.
She said Prime Minister Imran Khan’s people-centric policies were aimed at promoting financial inclusion, rural development, provision of educational opportunities, access to health care and poverty eradication.
The Pakistani envoy also called for global cooperation to eradicate poverty and ensure social development for all.
In this regard, she underscored the need for national and international commitment and action to reduce inequalities.
Faced with a youth bulge, Pakistan, she said, was looking to reaping a demographic dividend by providing opportunities for the growth and development of its young population and to maximize the potential of youth.
The Prime Minister’s Youth Program envisages a broad canvas of steps aimed at enabling young people to access opportunities through skills development, higher education and information technology.
“At the same time”, she said, “our new government has instituted a National Health Programme to provide health care to underprivileged citizens.
‘Insaf Sehat Cards’ will potentially benefit over 15 million families for a start”.
Ambassador Lodhi also highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to ensure gender equality and women’s empowerment.