Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Nations overwhelmed by poverty are the most vulnerable to crime and terrorism as poverty threatens not only national security but regional and international security as well.

The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Chairperson Marvi Memon while speaking as chief guest at a round table discussion said, “It is not a co-incidence that foot prints of terrorism are found in the poor and fragile regions of the world”. The moot titled “Poverty Alleviation and National Security” was organised by Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI).

Other keynote speakers on the occasion were senior Economist Dr Hafiz A Pasha, BISP Secretary Muhammad Saleem Ahmed Ranjha, Taleem Foundation Chairman Dr Zafar Qadir, National Rural Support Programme (NRSP) CEO Rashid Bajwa and SDPI CEO Abid Sulheri.

On the occasion, the BISP chairperson said that the government recognises poverty as driver of conflict and believes in providing conducive environment for sustainable growth. Benefiting from Prime Minister’s interest free loans, a number of BISP beneficiaries are expected to graduate out of poverty.

The E-commerce and BISP entrepreneurial partnerships would change the financial landscape of the country. The BISP chairperson said that the BISP is updating National Socio Economic Registry (NSER) adding that updated NSER would pave path for policy making which ensure no one falls fodder to extremism.

The BISP chairperson stressed on the need for regional cooperation on best practices for poverty alleviation as it is international commitment to safeguard the future generations from poverty as per United Nations (UN) charter.

She stated that the BISP identifies the vulnerable, leads on poverty management and further helps them graduate out of poverty so that they do not enter the terror cycle. The chairman also gave an overview of other BISP initiatives like Waseela-e-Taleem and campaign for Climate Smart villages, which would contribute towards poverty alleviation in the long run.

ISSI Director General Ambassador Masood Khan in his welcome address highlighted global perspectives of poverty and explained various paradigms of poverty. He stressed that the poverty is a global concern that needs immediate international decisions to guarantee financial inclusion.

The BISP secretary reiterated that the social protection is a state responsibility. He urged the private sector to come forward towards the noble cause of poverty alleviation and economic empowerment. The diplomats, prominent social activists, academicians and students attended the event.