Call to go beyond cash transfer, and develop land distribution schemes

ISLAMABAD (Dec 6, 2021): Social protection schemes in Pakistan needs to go beyond cash transfer to productive assets distribution among people, and in this regard, land distribution schemes may be developed bringing all the stakeholder at one platform with the assistance of development banks such as Zarai Taraqiati Bank.

This was the focus of discussion at the first day evening plenary titled: ‘Multi-Tiered, Shock Responsive Social Protection in Pakistan’ organized under the four-day 24th Sustainable Development Conference. The conference convened by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) focused on the broader theme: “Beyond the Pandemic: Leaving No One Behind.”

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Adeel Malik, Associate Professor, Oxford University, UK said the poor need more than charity. The system is anti-poor and requires a new social bargain between the rich and the poor. He stressed the need for an egalitarian society where the poor should be treated as equal citizens in terms of law, economy, and social cohesion.

Mr. Qazi Azmat Isa, the former Chief Executive, Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund, highlighted the diverse needs of launching social protection initiatives in Pakistan. He also stressed the need for community engagement in this regard.

Dr. Sohail Anwar, Advisor Governance and Social Protection, Sub-National Governance Programme, Punjab discussed the scale of global and national challenges, provincial responses to those challenges, and the lessons learnt.

Mr Nadeem Hussain, the founder of Easy Paisa and CEO of Planet N Group, highlighting the accelerated digital footprint in Pakistan due to COVID-19, stressed the importance of treating BISP beneficiaries with dignity.

Captain (Retd) Saeed Ahmed Nawaz, Additional Secretary, Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division, differentiated between bottom-up approaches and top-down approaches. He stressed the need for top-down approach in the context COVID-19 response.

Mr. Khurram Dastgir Khan, Member of National Assembly, discussing the current political perspective, elaborated the cycle of weakened democracy and how institutions of governance have become obsolete over the years.

Makhdoom Hashim Jawan Bakht, Provincial Minister for Finance in Punjab, reflected on educational upgradation and the significance of investing in human development.

Ms. Beenish Fatimah Sahi, CEO, Punjab Social Protection Authority, Lahore called for redistributing assignments among federal and provincial tiers to implement their idea of shared vision.

Mr. Henlo Van Nieuwenhuyzen, Principal Consultant, Oxford Policy Management, UK gave his views on public finance management and the techniques governments adopt to enhance fiscal space.

Mr. Taimur Khan Jhagra highlighted why should we need to focus on localized solutions given the inadequacy of blanket, one-size-fits-all solutions.