By Andleeb Uzair
Poverty is a complex and multidimensional problem that affects millions of people around the world. According to the World Bank, 39.3% of the population in Pakistan lives below the poverty line, and 24.3% faces multidimensional poverty. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), one of the four provinces of Pakistan, has a poverty rate of 49%, which is higher than the national average.
One of the key reasons behind poverty in KP is the conflict and instability in the region. The province has faced years of violence and terrorism, which has not only caused the loss of lives and property but has also had a negative impact on the economy. This instability has resulted in limited investment, which has further exacerbated the poverty situation.
However, despite these challenges, the government of Pakistan and international agencies are making efforts to alleviate poverty in KP. The government has launched several programs to address poverty, such as the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) and the Ehsaas Program. These programs provide financial assistance, food, and other basic needs to the most vulnerable segments of society.
International agencies such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank are also playing a significant role in poverty alleviation efforts in KP. These agencies provide financial assistance and technical support to the government of Pakistan to improve basic infrastructure, education, and healthcare services. They also support the government in creating employment opportunities and developing the private sector.
Financial institutes, such as microfinance institutions, are also helping to alleviate poverty in KP by providing access to credit to small business owners and entrepreneurs. These institutions provide loans to people who do not have access to traditional banking services, which enables them to start their businesses and generate income.
To address this challenge, several poverty alleviation programs have been initiated in KP, with a focus on enhancing the skills and employability of the poor and marginalized segments of society. These programs aim to provide quality vocational training, entrepreneurship support, market linkages, and financial inclusion to the beneficiaries, especially women and youth.
One such program is the Skills Development in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (SD-KP) project, funded by the International Growth Center (IGC) and implemented by the Planning and Development Department of KP. The project was launched in 2016 with the objective of developing a medium-term strategy for skills development in the province, based on a comprehensive analysis of the demand and supply of skills, as well as the institutional and policy framework. The project also piloted innovative interventions to improve the quality and relevance of skills training, such as competency-based curricula, industry-led certification, apprenticeship schemes, and tracer studies.
Another program is the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), which is a leading institution for community-driven development in Pakistan. PPAF has been working in KP since 2000, reaching over 2.7 million households through its partner organizations. PPAF’s interventions include livelihood enhancement and protection, community physical infrastructure, health and education, social mobilization, disaster management, and institutional development. One of PPAF’s flagship initiatives is the Programme for Poverty Reduction (PPR), which covers 38 union councils of 14 districts in KP and the Newly Merged Districts (NMDs). The PPR aims to alleviate poverty of rural communities by increasing their access to modern energy resources, such as solar home systems, biogas plants, micro-hydro power units, and improved cook stoves.
These programs are examples of how poverty alleviation can be achieved through skill development in KP. By empowering the poor and vulnerable with relevant skills and opportunities, these programs can help them improve their income levels, living standards, and social inclusion. Moreover, by enhancing the human capital of the province, these programs can contribute to its economic growth and stability. But for all these programs, first KP must overcome the challenge of violence and terrorism!
