KARACHI: Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), a national apex institution working to eradicate poverty across Pakistan, organized a Consultative Dialogue on poverty reduction through interface between Sindh CVE Centre, PPAF, and Civil Society Organizations in the city on Friday.
The dialogue aimed at strengthening collaboration between the Government of Sindh’s Centre of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism and PPAF to advance efforts for the Prevention and Countering of Violent Extremism through inclusive, community-driven, and evidence-based approaches. The event brought together senior government officials and heads of Sindh-based civil society organizations implementing development projects funded by PPAF and international partners.
Sindh Minister for Home, Law, Parliamentary Affairs, and Criminal Prosecution, Zia ul Hassan Lanjar graced the event as Chief Guest. Other distinguished participants included Muhammad Iqbal Memon, Additional Chief Secretary (Home); Azad Khan, Addl IG CTD; Muntazir Mehdi, Prosecutor General Sindh; and Naveed Arain, Deputy Secretary, Home Department.
The Minister said this collaboration between the Government of Sindh and PPAF reflects a shared commitment to building peaceful and resilient communities.
“By engaging civil society organizations that genuinely represent the people, we can address both the causes of poverty and the root drivers of extremism. Lasting peace is only possible when people feel included, empowered, and heard.”
The Government of Sindh is working on a joint strategy with the private sector and social welfare organizations to eliminate poverty. “Social and welfare institutions must play an active and coordinated role in promoting employment opportunities and public development. Community participation remains the top priority of the Sindh government for achieving sustainable development. Poverty reduction is directly linked to national security and social stability — which require transparent policies, public engagement, and concrete actions.”
Home Minister Sindh Zia-Ul-Hassan Lanjar further stated that Sindh is a land of peace, love, and tolerance. “We must adopt the lifestyle of the Sufi saints, as Sufism is the spiritual and cultural asset of this land — a philosophy that offers solutions to all challenges. We must ignore the negativity spread through social media and instead promote a positive mindset.”
He reiterated that the Sindh government continues to work closely with all stakeholders to prepare consensus-based, actionable recommendations focused on poverty reduction, education, health, and employment creation.
“Together, we must build a peaceful, self-reliant, and progressive society — this is the true identity of Sindh,” he added.
Highlighting the province’s progress on peace and security, the Home Minister revealed that 71 dacoits have surrendered before the police, which reflects public confidence in the Sindh government’s policies. “We have also announced a special rehabilitation package for those families who have surrendered, so they can reintegrate into society as productive citizens.”
He emphasized that poverty, lack of education, and inadequate healthcare facilities are often the root causes of crime — hence these sectors must remain the government’s special focus.
Muhammad Iqbal Memon, Additional Chief Secretary (Home), elaborated on the vision of the Centre of Excellence and emphasized the strong link between poverty and extremism. He noted that PPAF’s civil society partners can play a vital role in mobilizing communities and designing data-driven projects for sustainable impact.
Earlier, Nadir Gul Barech, CEO of PPAF, thanked the Centre of Excellence for its collaboration and highlighted the importance of community-led development in promoting peace and stability. He stated: “Our experience has shown that when communities are empowered to lead their own development, they become the strongest defenders of peace and progress. PPAF’s partnership model ensures that every initiative is rooted in community ownership — because sustainable change always begins from within. Peace and poverty alleviation are deeply interconnected; one cannot thrive without the other.”
The dialogue also acknowledged the vast experience and unwavering commitment of PPAF’s civil society partners who have long worked at the grassroots to promote inclusion, social harmony, and livelihoods across Sindh’s most marginalized areas. Their deep community linkages make them essential partners in addressing the socio-economic roots of extremism.
By integrating research and local insights from these organizations into policymaking, both PPAF and the Government of Sindh can ensure that interventions remain effective, relevant, and sustainable. PPAF continues to strengthen its partners’ institutional capacities to implement community-led initiatives that foster social cohesion, resilience, and peace — essential foundations for sustainable poverty alleviation.
This dialogue marks an important step toward deepening collaboration between the Government of Sindh and civil society for inclusive and long-term development.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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