ISLAMABAD: The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding of $200 million with Pakistan to support the government’s flagship poverty alleviation “Ehsaas” program that aims to reduce socio-economic inequalities by investing in people.
At a meeting in New York, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection Dr. Sania Nishtar signed the document with President of Global Development at the Foundation Chris Elias.
The meeting was also attended by Prime Minister Imran Khan and the American business tycoon and philanthropist, Bill Gates.
According to the MoU, the $200 million promised by the Foundation will fund 134 poverty alleviation projects under the Ehsaas program.
“I’m pleased that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will assist with a range of activities including accelerating stunting reduction programs, supporting financial inclusion initiatives and investing in public health systems to improve health and reduce maternal, newborn and child mortality,” Prime Minister Imran Khan said at the occasion.
The “Ehsaas” program was launched on March 27, 2019, by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf administration.
“Ehsaas is about the creation of a ‘welfare state’ by countering elite capture and leveraging 21st century tools—such as using data and technology to create precision safety nets; promoting financial inclusion and access to digital services; supporting the economic empowerment of women; focusing on the central role of human capital formation for poverty eradication, economic growth and sustainable development; and overcoming financial barriers to accessing health and post-secondary education,” the prime minister’s policy statement explained.
The program covers projects ranging from building homes for the homeless to ensuring financial independence for women and family planning initiatives.
Bill, Melinda Gates pour $200 million in Pakistan's poverty alleviation program
Bill, Melinda Gates pour $200 million in Pakistan's poverty alleviation program
- The funds will be used for 134 poverty alleviation projects under the “Ehsaas” program
- The program is designed to reduce socio-economic inequalities in the country
Pakistani president arrives in Iraq to deepen trade, energy cooperation
- Visit follows recent high-level contacts as Islamabad seeks to expand limited commercial ties with Baghdad
- Talks are expected to cover investment, manpower and facilitation of Pakistani pilgrims visiting holy sites in Iraq
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari arrived in Iraq on Saturday on an official visit aimed at expanding cooperation in trade, energy and investment, as Pakistan seeks to deepen ties with Baghdad after years of limited engagement.
Pakistan and Iraq established diplomatic relations in 1947 and have traditionally maintained cordial ties, though commercial links remain modest, with officials and business groups identifying scope for cooperation in construction services, pharmaceuticals, manpower and agricultural exports.
“President Asif Ali Zardari arrived in Baghdad on a four-day official visit to Iraq,” his office said in a post on X. “He was received by Culture Minister Dr. Ahmed Fakkak Al-Badrani. During the visit, meetings with senior Iraqi leadership are expected to advance cooperation and further strengthen Pakistan-Iraq relations.”
Zardari’s visit follows a series of recent high-level contacts between the two countries, reflecting efforts to broaden bilateral engagement beyond traditional diplomatic ties and explore collaboration across economic, political and people-to-people domains.
According to Pakistan’s foreign office, the president is expected to hold meetings with Iraq’s senior leadership to discuss cooperation in various areas such as trade and investment, energy, technology, education and manpower.
He is also expected to discuss regional and international issues with Iraqi officials.
Earlier this month, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met his Iraqi counterpart, Abdul Ameer Al-Shammari, on the sidelines of meetings in Brussels, where both sides agreed to enhance cooperation on security and facilitate travel for Pakistani Shia pilgrims to Najaf and Karbala.
The two officials discussed measures to ensure the smoother movement of these pilgrims and their compliance with visa regulations.
