ISLAMABAD: Minister of State and BISP Chairperson Marvi Memon on Wednesday commended outgoing Argentinean Ambassador Rodolfo J.Martin-Saravia for his untiring efforts for poverty alleviation in Pakistan.
She was speaking at a function here hosted by the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) to bid farewell to Ambassador Rodolfo.
Marvi Memon said Ambassador Rodolfo had set high diplomatic standards. He would be remembered as a friend of the poor people of Pakistan, she said,a ccording to a press release.
She reiterated that Rodolfo was the man behind Argentina's recognition in Pakistan. He could be called as Islamabad's diplomatic rock star.
Ambassadors of Spain and Jordan, Senator Usman Kakar, MNA Azhar Bilal Jadoon, Secretary Information Imran Gardezi, Secretary Climate Change Muhammad Abu Akif, former ambassador Masood Khan, Additional Secretary CADD Qaiser Majeed, Additional Secretary Textile Rubina Wasti and DG PHA Tariq Jameel attended the event.
Former ambassador Masood khan, in his remarks, referred to poverty as a crime against humanity. It was the collective responsibility of all to end poverty in all its forms. To achieve this "we need to focus on the most impoverished excluded and marginalized segments of society irrespective of geography and ethnicity," he added. Masood Khan said SDGs like zero hunger, food security and improved nutrition, healthy lives and education for all based on the most critical and pivotal goal that was poverty alleviation.
He said poverty alleviation was all about addressing inequality and inclusive growth. It ensured national as well as international security. It was highlighted that establishment of national socio-economic registry, women empowerment and human capital development were BISP's singular signature achievements.
He said for making Pakistan a vibrant and robust economic hub, the involvement of philanthropy and leveraging market forces to end poverty was essential. It was high time to realize that the private sector was government's partner in job creation, ensuring social security and improving life standards. It was highlighted that BISP's initiative on E-commerce inaugurated by Queen Maxima UN Secretary General's special advocate on inclusive finance would not only improve beneficiaries handicraft skills but also provide market access making them self sufficient.
Ambassador Rodolfo acknowledged the outstanding services rendered by the BISP in alleviating poverty. The BISP had made strides in reducing extreme poverty, empowering women and education of beneficiary children. He paid tribute to BISP Chairperson for her leadership and dynamic approach to lift millions of people out of poverty.
The ambassador said his friendship with the people of Pakistan nurtured over a decade would continue in future as well.
Rodolfo J. Martin-Saravia has been Argentine Ambassador to Pakistan since August 2004. He has also served as non-resident Argentine Ambassador to Afghanistan and Tajikistan since 2005 and 2011 respectively.
In March 2014, he was conferred the Hilal-e-Pakistan, the second highest civilian award in Pakistan, by President Mamnoon Hussain. Pakistan and Argentina are members of Uniting for Consensus (UfC) and share similar views for reform and revitalization of the United Nations.
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