Statement By Mr. Suljuk Mustansar Tarar,First Secretary,Pakistan Mission to the United Nations, at the "49" Session of the Commission for Social Development(10 February 2011)

Mr. Chairman,

I would like to congratulate you and other members of the Bureau on their election. We assure you of our full support and cooperation during the deliberations of this Commission.

My delegation associates itself with the statement made by Argentina on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

We thank the Secretary General for his reports to help the proceedings of the Commission.

Mr. Chairman,

Fifteen years ago at the World Summit for Social Development (WSD) we all committed ourselves to the goal of eradicating poverty through “decisive national actions and international cooperation” however, despite some progress made in reducing poverty we still have a long winding path to total eradication of poverty. As mentioned in the conclusion of the Secretary General’s report on the priority theme, social policy must be an integral part of broader development strategies in order to reduce poverty. Along with WSD, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) symbolize our collective resolve to create a better world that ensures better quality of life for our people. While poverty eradication is a goal in itself, it is the key underlying factor which hinders achieving all other internationally agreed development targets.

Mr. Chairman,

The multiple crises of finance, fuel and food have had serious repercussions throughout the world, most importantly in the developing countries. It impacted on Pakistan’s economy through the route of trade and substantial decline in foreign direct investment. Besides, last year’s unprecedented floods contributed to further slow down of economic activity and loss of life and infrastructure. These have resulted in deterioration of macroeconomic indicators and increasing challenges for the economically disadvantaged section of Pakistani society.

Pakistan has produced four Millennium Development Goals Reports (MDGR). The fourth report published in September 2010 presented a frank and forthright account of where we stand in realizing the MDGs including poverty eradication goal. Notwithstanding, the numerous difficulties we face, the MDGs remain the centerpiece of our development efforts. We are committed to pursue aggressive reforms and our strategy rests on seven pillars:

Mr. Chairman,

There is emerging consensus that social protection programs play an important role in reducing poverty. The Government of Pakistan has in place some social protection programs these include:

Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) is a cash transfer programme focusing on empowerment of women, provision of basic services and investment in human development. Eligible households are identified on the basis of a poverty scorecard survey. This program also provides for vocational training to one member of each benefitted family and interest free loan for small business or self-employment. This program has also addressed the urgent financial needs of the families affected by floods. The Government intends reach 5-7 million families through this program by 2012. .

Pakistan Bait-Ul-Mal (PBM) provides financial assistance to the destitute, widows, orphans and disabled.

National Internship Program (NIP) provides paid internships to fresh graduates providing them opportunity to work in different public sector organizations thereby facilitating their employability.

Employee’s Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) provides monetary benefits to the old age workers through different programs.

Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), a public-private partnership makes available microfinance and other financial services to the poor with the help of civil society.

Skills Development: The National Vocational & Technical Education Commission (NAVTEC) strengthens workforce through social mobilization of funds and through private technical training centers.

Mr. Chairman,

Our agreement of World Summit for Social Development that “Social development is central to the needs and aspirations of people throughout the world and to the responsibilities of Governments and all sectors of civil society” remains valid. This will require firm national and international commitments so that poverty eradication becomes a reality and not an illusive dream.

I thank you,