Ehsaas Programme

Ehsaas Programme ( ) is a social safety and poverty alleviation programme launched by Government of Pakistan in March 2019. Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan called it a key initiative towards a welfare state that PTI promised with people of Pakistan in their elections manifesto. It is aimed at uplifting the backward class, reducing inequality, investment on masses and lifting the lagging districts in the country. A separate ministry was established under Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division which is headed by Special Assistant to Prime Minister Sania Nishtar who previously was serving as chairperson of Benazir Income Support Programme.
Background.
Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf contested in 2018 Pakistani General Elections and promised in his party manifesto to launch different social safety programmes and will retain and improve the Benazir Income Support Programme.
Objective.
Ehsaas programme is a flagship social protection lead towards a ‘welfare state’ that is embodied in Constitution of Pakistan. It is to create precision safety nets; promoting financial inclusion and access to digital services; supporting the economic empowerment of women; focusing on the central role of human capital formation for poverty eradication, economic growth and sustainable development; and overcoming financial barriers to accessing health and post-secondary education.
Article 38(D) in chapter Principles of Policy of the Constitution of Pakistan is about the promotion of social and economic well-being of the people. The government through a constitutional amendment vows to make food, clothing, housing, education and medical relief as fundamental rights of the citizens and the duty of state.
Eligibility.
The programme is for the extreme poor, orphans, widows, the homeless, the disabled, those who risk medical impoverishment, for the jobless, for poor farmers, for laborers, for the sick and undernourished; for students from low-income backgrounds and for poor women and elderly citizens. This plan is also about lifting lagging areas where poverty is higher.
Programme structure.
Ehsaas was formally launched on 27 March 2019 by federal government. It included different social safety programs that are aimed to uplift the social security of masses. Its poverty reduction strategy is articulated in four pillars and it currently embodies 134 policy actions. The key initiatives include "Ehsaas Kafaalat", "Ehsaas Aamdan", "Ehsaas Emergency Cash" during covid pandemic, "Ehsaas Scholarships", "Ehsaas Cash Assistance" for women etc. Benazir Income Support Programme was also made the part of Poverty Alleviation and Social Security Division.
Reception.
Ehsaas programme has been viewed as a success by national and international experts. It was helpful in bringing a positive change and is seen as a global model for poverty reduction. World Bank doubled its assistance for the programme seeing the progress and declared it role model for other countries. Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme during COVID-19 pandemic in the country successfully protected the poor and daily wagers who were affected in lockdowns by providing cash disbursements. SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar has been accredited as the person behind the programme's success.
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