Islamabad will host a two-day International Conference on Inclusive and Resilient Economic Empowerment and Growth on October 13 and 14, Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation Syed Imran Ahmad Shah announced on Friday.
Participants from 12 countries are expected to attend. The event aims to explore sustainable solutions to poverty, promote inclusive growth and strengthen livelihood resilience through policy dialogue, knowledge-sharing and cross-sector collaboration.
Conference theme and organisers
Speaking at a press briefing with Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) Chief Executive Officer Nadir Gul Barech, Shah said the conference aligns with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s “Uraan Pakistan” vision of public welfare and inclusive development. He said it would give public institutions, development partners and local communities a platform to assess progress and turn policy priorities into measurable results.
Barech said the event is held under the theme “Poverty to Prosperity” and is organised by PPAF with the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, the Centre of Excellence for National Cohesion and Outreach, and Paigham-e-Pakistan. It falls ahead of the United Nations’ International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on October 17.
PPAF reach and development results
Barech said the organisation operates in 157 districts through 164 partner organisations. He cited the following figures since 2014:
- 3.69 million interest-free loans worth Rs149.61 billion, with a reported recovery rate of 98 per cent
- More than 88,000 jobs created with PPAF-supported initiatives
- 501,500 people trained in skills and vocational programmes
- 35,290 community infrastructure schemes, benefiting approximately 17.57 million people
Barech said sustainable poverty reduction requires more than short-term assistance. He called for an approach that includes social protection, skills development, productive assets, access to finance and stronger links with markets, noting that vulnerable households remain exposed to floods, illness and income losses.
Role of media and questions from reporters
Shah stressed the role of the media in raising public awareness of poverty alleviation programmes and communicating their impact. He urged journalists to highlight the initiatives and future plans of the ministry and PPAF so that people better understand available support and economic opportunities.
Barech said the conference would draw on Pakistan’s development experience and lessons from South Asia and other regions. Both officials later answered questions from media representatives on poverty alleviation programmes, community empowerment and the conference’s objectives and expected outcomes.
