Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has said that an effective strategy must be adopted to eradicate poverty in Pakistan.
Addressing a CSR Summit, he said poverty was more widespread in rural areas than in urban centres. He added that 10 million women were benefiting from the Benazir Income Support Programme. Kundi said real success would come on the day when the number of beneficiaries declined and women stood on their own feet. He paid tribute to those conducting business in difficult circumstances and said a clear strategy was required to combat poverty.
Meanwhile, Federal Minister for the Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh said education must be given priority to secure a better future for the nation. He said the small and medium enterprises sector accounted for 60 per cent of the economy but received only six per cent of total lending, adding that its share must be increased.
Referring to China, the federal minister said millions had been lifted out of poverty there through education and development, while 25 million children in Pakistan remained out of school. He said the previous government had taken a loan of Rs3.5 billion, adding that had the same amount been spent on education, the system would have improved.
