At launch of poverty uplift initiative, PM Imran says difficult times 'over' for Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD -- Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Friday that Pakistan's difficult days are now behind it and the country is on the right track.

The PM made the comment while launching the Rs15 billion 'Ehsaas Amdan Programme' in Layyah, Punjab today.

The Amdan (income) Programme is one of several programmes launched under the PTI government's Ehsaas initiative - a broad-based programme to lift the most vulnerable out of poverty.

The programme is aimed at creating respectable livelihood opportunities for those that are the most disadvantaged.

It involves giving away of small assets to those who live below the poverty line so that they can earn a living and lift themselves out of poverty.

Assets include livestock (goats, cows, buffaloes and poultry), agricultural inputs, Qingqi rickshaws, and inputs for small retail outlets and small enterprises.

In his address, the prime minister, speaking to an audience of the programme's beneficiaries, referred to the difficult economic conditions that continue to persist.

He explained that the government was constrained in providing relief because it had to return interest and payments due on past loans, or risk a default.

'If the country had defaulted, the price of everything would have doubled,' he explained.

Expressing optimism, the prime minister said that the country now seemed to be on the right track and noted that the rupee was not devaluing any further.

The premier said that the current account deficit has reduced and the stock market is performing better, adding that in the near future the nation will get more 'good news'.

Addressing the gathering, the prime minister said the government has launched the programme - which he described as "the first of its kind" in Pakistan - to alleviate the suffering of the poorest members of society.

'For women...

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