Opening session of Saarc training course: social services provision to masses underlined

Provision of Social Services to the masses especially, the vulnerable sections of society as well as the development of available human resource have paramount importance for the overall development in Saarc region.
Considering it a basic human right, the initiative of Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) was launched in Pakistan as an instrument to provide financial assistance to the poorest of the poor, especially, adversely affected by the high inflation and the impact of the international economic crisis.
Farzana Raja, Chairperson BISP, expressed these views while addressing inaugural session of training course "Social services for all for Human Resource Development in Saarc Region: Priorities and Programmes,' conducted by Saarc Human Resource Development Centre (SHRDC), says a press release received here on Monday.
Along with the participants from all the Saarc countries, DG Saarc Dr Zehra Akbari, DG NCRD Brigadier Amanullah (Retd), Director SHRDC Dr Riffat Ayesha Anis and Chief of Mission Nepal Embassy in Pakistan D P Bhindari were also present on the occasion. Chairperson BISP emphasised on the need for more investment on social services sector as development of any nation is directly linked with the availability of education, health, nutrition, shelter, safe drinking water and sanitation to its citizens.
She added further that along with provision of Monthly Cash Grant, BISP has also launched demand driven Vocational & Technical Training, Micro Finance for gainful self-employment and Life & Health Insurance for the beneficiary families. Farzana Raja said that poverty and extremism are two major problems being confronted by South Asian region and especially, Pakistan. Poverty gives rise to extremism and by overcoming this menace; we can drastically improve our security and economic situation as well, she added.-PR