The other day the PM presided over a high-level meeting where he announced the government had initiated 36 social welfare projects. Talking about the recently-launched ‘Ehsas’ welfare programme, he said it would not only help fulfil the state’s responsibility to address issues like poverty, joblessness and health but also ensure effective utilisation of government resources for welfare of the people. To ensure good governance, he stressed the need for introduction of a comprehensive local government system for empowerment of the people. He also called for provision of better facilities to businesses. The PTI government has already taken steps towards a better local government system in Punjab. At the Centre, it has taken several measures for the betterment of the people like Panahgah shelters and interest-free loans for small farmers. The Bank of Khyber is working towards creation of jobs in erstwhile Fata. It is providing loans ranging between Rs50,000 and Rs100,000 to the youth in tribal districts so that they can start their own businesses. The bank also plans to launch projects for empowering women, economically.
There are indications that the PM is moving towards a ‘New Deal’ like US President Franklin D Roosevelt gave his country in the wake of the Great Depression of the 1930s. The New Deal was a series of programmes, public welfare projects, financial reforms and regulations enacted and implemented between 1933 and 1936. The New Deal gave the desired results. Pakistan too needs a New Deal. There can be no two opinions about this.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 13th, 2019.
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