Pakistan, Zakat Foundation of America explore partnership avenues

ISLAMABAD: Founder and Chief Executive Officer HalilDemir on Saturday met Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Syed Imran Ahmad Shah to discuss prospects for enhanced cooperation in poverty reduction, humanitarian assistance, and social welfare.

The meeting was attended by Nadir Gul Barech, Chief Executive Officer of the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), along with representatives of Zakat Foundation Pakistan.

The discussions focused on identifying potential areas of collaboration between government institutions and international charitable organisations to improve the living conditions of deserving and vulnerable segments of society.

Both sides explored the possibility of joint initiatives to support low-income families, widows, orphaned children, persons with disabilities, and other disadvantaged groups. Cooperation in education, healthcare, women’s economic empowerment, skills development, and employment generation also featured prominently in the discussions.

The participants further considered opportunities to strengthen humanitarian assistance for communities affected by natural disasters and emergencies, facilitate access to essential healthcare services, and help deserving families achieve sustainable economic self-reliance.

Speaking on the occasion, Federal Minister Syed Imran Ahmad Shah reaffirmed the Government of Pakistan’s commitment to poverty alleviation and the provision of social and economic protection to vulnerable populations.

The minister observed that effective partnerships between government institutions and international charitable organisations could expand access to essential services and improve the delivery of welfare assistance to people most in need.

Emphasising the need for a sustainable approach to poverty reduction, Shah said that lasting progress required more than financial assistance alone. He highlighted the importance of providing disadvantaged individuals with access to education, vocational training, employment opportunities, and other means of economic empowerment so they could become self-reliant.

The meeting also discussed potential cooperation between the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund and the Zakat Foundation, particularly in mobilising and utilising available resources effectively and implementing targeted welfare programmes for disadvantaged communities.

The proposed areas of cooperation reflect a shared interest in exploring practical approaches to poverty reduction, humanitarian support, and inclusive development, with a focus on reaching underserved populations.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026