PM inaugurates first one window Ehsaas centre

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan Wednesday inaugurated the first one window Ehsaas centre.

Speaking on the occasion, the prime minister said that establishment of the centre is a step forward towards a welfare state. He also planted a sapling on the occasion.

Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection Dr Sania Nishtar briefed Imran Khan about the initiative which is aimed at ensuring access to all the facilities and services of Ehsaas Programme under one roof.

She said Ehsaas one window centres will be established in every district of the country. She added that Ehsaas one window initiative has six components: Its first component is Ehsaas centre, whereas others include a digital information and services platform, a mobile app, back office consolidated digital interface, a database and a uniform and integrated beneficiary targeting policy.

Meanwhile, Imran Khan said the government's first priority is to provide financial assistance to weak segments of the society as well as to make them self-sufficient in employment through such initiatives.

The prime minister said that for the first time in Pakistan, a comprehensive strategy has been formulated to lift the economically weaker sections out of poverty.

“Neighbouring China and India are examples; China has lifted millions out of poverty in the last 30 years, while India has failed,” he said while presiding over a high level meeting of Kamyab Pakistan Programme here. The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin, Special Assistants Waqar Masood, Usman Dar, Chairman New Pakistan Housing Authority Lt Gen (R) Anwar Ali Haider, Chairman Habib Bank Sultan Ali Alana, Zafar Masood President Punjab Bank, concerned senior officials and stakeholders.

The meeting was briefed on the inclusion of wholesale landing for successful businesses, successful farmers and successful craftsmen programmes, low cost housing schemes and successful Pakistan Housing under the Successful Pakistan Programme.

The forum was informed that the programme will play an important role in increasing economic activities in the country and making people self-sufficient for employment. The programme will provide large-scale new entrants with business, low-cost housing and agricultural loans that will not only provide employment opportunities, but also increase economic activity as well as poverty alleviation, GDP growth and people. The move will be instrumental in bringing banking into the mainstream.