LAHORE, Oct 17 (APP):Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has said her government was taking sustained and practical measures to eradicate poverty and improve the living standards of disadvantaged segments of society through welfare programmes, economic opportunities and financial assistance.
In her special message on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, she said poverty could not be overcome through slogans alone, but required concrete economic policies and initiatives that empowered people to achieve financial stability.
The CM said the Punjab government was supporting deserving families through various initiatives, including the Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar housing programme, Parwaaz Card, laptop scheme and Honhaar Scholarship programme. She said special attention was being given to the economic empowerment of rural women through skills development programmes and interest-free loans to help them become financially independent.
CM Maryam Nawaz said the Dhee Rani programme was providing relief to deserving families by covering marriage-related expenses, reducing their financial burden.
Highlighting the Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar scheme, she said thousands of acres of government land had been leased to poor and landless rural residents for a period of 10 years. The initiative aimed to create livelihood opportunities, increase agricultural production, reduce rural poverty and address unemployment, she added.
The CM added young people, women and skilled individuals were being offered loans on easy terms and at low markup rates to enable them to establish their own businesses and become economically self-reliant. She said that her government was committed to expanding practical welfare measures and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities to improve the economic conditions of vulnerable communities across Punjab.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
