KARACHI: The three-day Second National Social Protection Conference, which concluded here at a local hotel on Wednesday, resulted in important suggestions by experts to enhance inter-provincial and federal collaboration in social protection programmes across Pakistan, aiming to better support the underprivileged and vulnerable populations while building trust of donors through transparency.

The conference was hosted by GIZ Pakistan and organised in collaboration with the federal and provincial governments, with support from the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Other partners included the KfW Development Bank, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the United Nations.

It brought together experts, policymakers and practitioners from various sectors — including social protection, climate change, finance and disaster resilience — who engaged in discussions on governance, financing and sustainable livelihoods to address social protection challenges in Pakistan.

Second National Social Protection Conference concludes

During the concluding session on Wednesday, speakers highlighted the dire state of vulnerable segments of society. They stressed that social protection is a constitutional right in Pakistan and that there is an urgent need to integrate and enhance such programmes across all provinces.

They were also of the unanimous view that the social protection system in the country should be made more adaptive, data-driven and climate-resilient and a framework should be there for that purpose.

Speaking on the occasion, Vice President Punjab Social Protection Authority, Jahan Ara Wattoo said there was a dire need to uplift the marginalised communities in Pakistan and said that inter-provincial collaboration regarding the social protection programmes was a necessary step for that purpose.

Similarly, Naseem Mirani, Additional Secretary of the Social Protection Programme, Sindh, called for greater cooperation among social protection platforms across provinces.

Senator Rubina Khalid, chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to expanding and strengthening its social protection framework.

“We are open to ideas that will help strengthen Pakistan’s social protection system. Our primary focus is on skill development for deserving families under BISP. It is essential to implement practical steps to lift people out of poverty and break the cycle for long-term resilience,” she said.

Meriem El Harouchi, first secretary, delegation of the European Union to Pakistan, spoke about the EU’s commitment to strengthening adaptive social protection in Pakistan.

“Social protection must be long-term, shock-responsive and integrated with climate resilience efforts,” she stated, adding that investing in social protection contributes to economic growth and human capital development.

German Consul General Dr Ruediger Lotz reaffirmed his country’s commitment to social protection and inclusive development in Pakistan. He said the long-standing partnership and friendship between the two nations was valuable.

Maria-Jose Poddey, country director for GIZ Pakistan, highlighted the significance of collaboration, digital innovation and financial sustainability in driving reforms.

Similarly, Johanna Knoess, head of Social Protection at GIZ Pakistan, stressed that discussions must lead to concrete action, ensuring that collective efforts result in real improvements in social protection.

Provincial Minister for Planning, Development and Energy Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said that social protection is not just a policy but an essential shield that safeguards the most vulnerable sections of society.

He also outlined the key initiatives of the Sindh government, including the Sindh Social Protection Authority, MAMTA Programme, Women Agricultural Workers Programme, Bhook Mitao Programme and the Sindh People’s Housing Initiative, which integrate climate resilience and social protection.

Mr Shah further highlighted collaboration with the EU and German Development Cooperation in institutionalising disaster risk management and enhancing the Unified Beneficiary Registry. He also called for enhanced federal-provincial coordination, digital innovation and sustainable financing to ensure long-term impact.

Chairman of the Planning and Development Board, government of Sindh, Najam Ahmed Shah, reaffirmed the province’s commitment to building a sustainable social protection system.

Additionally, BISP DG Naveed Akbar and CEO of the Punjab Social Protection Authority Ali Shehzad also spoke at the conference.

Published in Dawn, February 27th, 2025