Women Independence, Human Resources Expansion Punjab Govt's Priorities: Minister Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha

Punjab Finance Minister Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha Tuesday said independence of women, distribution of assets, expansion of human resources and popularity of social conservation were the top priorities of provincial government

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd May, 2018 ) :Punjab Finance Minister Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha Tuesday said independence of women, distribution of assets, expansion of human resources and popularity of social conservation were the top priorities of provincial government.

She was addressing a two-day workshop on Punjab Capital Investment Project, held here jointly by the Technical Mission of World Bank and the Department for International Development, UK. She said the Punjab Social Protection Authority (PSPA) was being established in the light of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for investment in the young generation, women, children and special persons so that they might earn their livelihood independently.

The Human Capital Investment Project (HCI) ensured all the prospects which were priorities of the Punjab government, she added. She said the Punjab government wanted to bring every citizen in its economical circle.

After transmission of 1500 monthly scholarship to more than 90,000 special persons initially through Khidmat cards, the Punjab Social Protection Authority had now started income generation programme in collaboration with the Punjab Small Industries Corporation.

With its help, interest-free loans were being granted to the disabled persons after technical training so that they might start their business, she added. The minister cows and buffaloes were being provided to women living in rural areas for provision of livelihood to them under the Livestock and Dairy Development Programme.

Scholarships were being distributed among over 46,000 girls of under-developed areas and poor families for their initial education under Khadim-e-Aala Zewar-e-Taleem Programme. In near future, she said, the Social Protection Authority would solve food needs of children, problems related to business for young people and inequity with women regarding wages.

Practice Manager Stefano Paternostro depicted the key points under Capital Investment Project while appreciating the efforts of the Punjab government for social protection and the superior performance of Social Protection Authority.

Chief Executive Officer of Social Protection Authority said the Punjab government would work on three programmes under Human Capital Investment Project with the World Bank in which health and nutrition plan for newborn and pregnant mothers, economic inclusion of women and capacity building for social protection were included.

The purpose of workshop was to find out solution to the problems arising in Capital Investment Project. Task team leader and senior economist from World Bank Yoonyung Cho suggested solutions to problems while explaining the objectives of the project.

Dr Sohail Anwar threw light on particulars and methods of different departments while Director Social Protection Authority Programme Waqar Azeem apprised the workshop participants of the details of health and nutrition programme.