Poverty alleviation: PBM seeks traders’ help

Pakistan Baitul Mal (PBM) is striving to cut poverty through a number of social safety net services targeting vulnerable and under-privileged segments of the society, says a press release.

Sharing details of the services, with the local business representatives here at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) on Tuesday, PBM Managing Director Abid Waheed Sheikh said a new formula has been adopted along with the introduction of IT systems and e-governance to facilitate the needy.

He cited 11 projects that are providing social safety to orphans, widows, disabled and other deserving people. PBM has established 168 vocational schools to empower women and 157 centres for rehabilitating child workers while 22 such centres are in the pipeline to provide free education.

Through Child Support Programme conditional monthly stipend of Rs300 is being provided for education, which benefits 185,000 children. A Great Home project for senior citizens in Lahore has been set up. Another one in Islamabad is ready to accommodate 25 senior citizens both men and women. Moreover, PBM is now disbursing Rs14 million daily to needy persons.

Sheikh urged them to collaborate with PBM on a public-private partnership basis in its various projects to enhance social development.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 19^th, 2014.