Report: ANI
ISLAMABAD — Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Syed Imran Ahmad Shah met with Halil Demir, Founder and CEO of Zakat Foundation of America, at the ministry on October 17 to discuss cooperation in poverty reduction, social protection and humanitarian assistance.
The meeting was attended by Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) CEO Nadir Gul Barech and representatives of Zakat Foundation Pakistan. Discussions focused on potential joint initiatives to support vulnerable communities, improve access to essential services and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for disadvantaged segments of society.
Both sides explored possible initiatives for widows, orphaned children, persons with disabilities and families facing economic hardship. They also discussed cooperation in education, healthcare, women's economic empowerment, skills development, employment generation and disaster relief.
Federal Minister Syed Imran Ahmad Shah emphasised that financial assistance alone could not fully address the challenges faced by disadvantaged communities. He highlighted the importance of education, vocational training, employment opportunities and access to economic resources in promoting long-term self-reliance.
The meeting also highlighted the potential for coordinated efforts among government institutions, development organisations and humanitarian agencies to address immediate needs while supporting the long-term social and economic development of vulnerable families.
Women's economic empowerment was identified as another potential area of cooperation, particularly through skills development and opportunities to strengthen women's capacity to support their families. The participants also discussed improving coordination in humanitarian assistance for communities affected by emergencies and natural disasters.
The participation of PPAF and Zakat Foundation Pakistan representatives provided an opportunity to identify shared priorities and explore complementary programmes in poverty alleviation and community development.
Both sides agreed to strengthen coordination and explore further avenues of cooperation in poverty reduction, social protection and humanitarian welfare, with a focus on practical initiatives to improve the well-being of disadvantaged communities.
