PM announces anti-poverty programme for poorest households
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced a special initiative to lift extremely poor and flood-affected households out of poverty through a comprehensive support package. The Shehbaz Sharif anti-poverty programme was announced in his message on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, observed on Oct 17.
The prime minister called for renewed collective resolve to build a prosperous Pakistan “where no individual or segment of society is left behind in sharing the fruits of development.” He described eradicating poverty as a shared national responsibility.
Who must act together
Sharif said the fight against poverty requires joint efforts by provincial governments, development partners, civil society, the private sector and local communities. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to practical measures at national and global levels to eradicate poverty, reduce inequality and ensure fair development opportunities.
The day was observed globally under the United Nations’ three-year campaign for 2026-2028, themed “United for Peace and Human Rights,” with the 2026 sub-theme “A Safe Home for All.” The prime minister said safe and dignified housing was fundamental to citizens’ well-being, and economic prosperity, adequate food supplies and safe housing were among the essential outcomes of poverty alleviation.
Housing at the centre
The prime minister said the government was improving access to affordable housing, particularly for economically vulnerable segments, through easy financing under the Prime Minister’s Apna Ghar Scheme. Access to financial assistance for building and buying affordable homes was being expanded under the scheme.
He noted that besides financial constraints, climate change impacts, including floods and heavy rainfall, were also contributing to housing shortages. Flood-hit families are explicitly covered by the new initiative’s support package.
What the Shehbaz Sharif anti-poverty programme means
The announcement did not include details of funding, timelines or the specific measures in the package. That matters, because Pakistan already runs one of South Asia’s largest safety nets in the Benazir Income Support Programme, and families also rely on schemes like Benazir Taleemi Wazaif for school-going children.
The initiative follows the federal government’s recent push for a coordinated national approach. Earlier this month, the poverty alleviation minister said the government was seeking provincial input on a national framework to cut poverty, with an international “From Poverty to Prosperity” conference held in Islamabad on Oct 13 and 14.
The economic backdrop is mixed. Shehbaz Sharif has been pushing an export-led growth agenda, while his government has also rejected proposals that would raise costs for households, such as the LPG auction plan. Whether the new programme adds money to existing schemes or builds something separate will determine its real weight.
What is the new anti-poverty initiative?
A special initiative announced by PM Shehbaz Sharif to lift extremely poor and flood-affected households out of poverty with a comprehensive support package. Funding and timeline details have not been announced.
When was it announced?
In the prime minister’s message on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, observed on Oct 17.
How does it relate to existing schemes?
It sits alongside existing safety nets such as the Benazir Income Support Programme. The government has not yet said whether the initiative adds funding to current schemes or creates new ones.
