EHSAAS: A comprehensive welfare state policy being lauded internationally.

AuthorKazmi, Shabbir

Byline: Shabbir Kazmi

The Daily Telegraph, Britain based leading newspaper has termed Pakistan's Ehsaas program, one of the most comprehensive welfare programs ever undertaken by a national government. The newspaper in one of its issues said that Pakistan is leading the way with its welfare state policy and the world can learn from its innovation.

The program is led by Dr. Sania Nishtar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, who has been mandated to work in partnership across multiple federal ministries that these policies will be driven by, as well with provincial governments who have devolved powers including on education and health. Without a multi-sectoral approach, it would not be possible to create the welfare state envisioned by Ehsaas.

Prime Minister Imran Khan launched an ambitious social safety and poverty alleviation program for the welfare of the general masses earlier this year. Addressing the launching ceremony earlier in March this year, Khan had said: "It is the first time that such a program is coming to Pakistan. You will remember the day we launched this program - the day [Pakistan] becomes a great country."

The newspaper in its article said that "it was for the first time that a public policy in Pakistan has been developed in this way that demonstrates a new level of openness and transparency. The author has termed 'Ehsaas', a Urdu word meaning 'empathy', the new initiative one of the most comprehensive welfare programs ever undertaken by a national government, with an underlying ambition to create a social safety net for Pakistan that could transform the lives of millions. It is enormously wide-ranging and ambitious."

Pakistan's Ehsaas program encompasses 134 policies that range from tackling corruption to creating educational opportunities and providing the elderly with decent homes. Over 3.3 million people will be covered under insurance in the next few years. Those who don't get the cards will get health coverage from another program 'Tahaffuz'. The street children and transgender, who are treated cruelly, will be helped and protected through this program.

The Daily Telegraph, in its article, further said that...

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