Sustainable Development Goal 1 (SDG 1) is 'End poverty in all its forms everywhere'. Pakistan has integrated this into its national development agenda (Vision 2025), focusing on inclusive growth and robust social protection systems to reduce the poverty headcount.
1322
The 'Waseela-e-Haq' initiative of BISP was originally designed to provide:
Waseela-e-Haq was a component of BISP that aimed at the 'graduation' of beneficiaries. Through a computerized draw, it provided small interest-free loans to select beneficiaries to help them start small businesses, moving them from dependency on handouts to self-sufficiency.
1323
What is 'Transient Poverty' in the context of Pakistan's economic shocks?
Transient poverty refers to households that are normally above the poverty line but fall below it due to a sudden 'shock', such as a crop failure, a medical emergency, or a natural disaster like the 2022 floods. Social safety nets are designed to catch these households before they fall into 'chronic' (long-term) poverty.
1324
The 'Bait-ul-Maal' (PBM) is a semi-autonomous body that primarily provides which type of support?
Pakistan Bait-ul-Maal (PBM) is a significant social safety net that provides targeted assistance for medical treatment (like cancer or heart surgery), education scholarships, and rehabilitation for the disabled. It also manages 'Sweet Homes' for orphans and vocational training centers for women.
1325
Which Pakistani province historically records the highest incidence of multidimensional poverty?
While Punjab has the largest number of poor people due to its massive population, Balochistan has the highest 'incidence' (percentage) of poverty. This is due to various factors including geographical vastness, lack of infrastructure, and limited access to health and education services in remote areas.
1326
What is meant by the 'Poverty Gap' in economic studies of Pakistan?
The Poverty Gap Index measures the 'intensity' of poverty. While the 'headcount' tells us how many people are poor, the poverty gap tells us how far below the poverty line they fall on average, helping policymakers understand the amount of resources needed to bring everyone above the poverty threshold.
1327
The 'Zakat and Ushr Ordinance' in Pakistan, which governs the compulsory deduction of Zakat from bank accounts, was promulgated in which year?
The Zakat and Ushr Ordinance, 1980, was introduced during the era of General Zia-ul-Haq as part of the Islamization of the economy. It established a central Zakat Fund and mandated a 2.5% deduction on specific financial assets on the first day of Ramazan for welfare distribution among the 'Mustahiqeen' (deserving poor).
1328
During the COVID-19 pandemic, which program provided emergency cash to over 15 million families in Pakistan?
The Ehsaas Emergency Cash program was a historic intervention in 2020 to mitigate the economic shock of the COVID-19 lockdown. It utilized the NSER database and biometric verification to distribute billions of rupees to daily wagers and low-income families whose livelihoods were disrupted by the pandemic.
1329
Which initiative provides the largest undergraduate scholarship program for students from low-income backgrounds in Pakistan's history?
The Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarship program was launched to ensure that no talented student is deprived of higher education due to financial constraints. It awards 50,000 scholarships annually, covering full tuition fees and providing a monthly stipend to students from families with a monthly income below a specific threshold.
1330
Under the Ehsaas framework, what is the purpose of 'Panagahs' established in various cities?
Panagahs (shelter homes) were established to protect the most vulnerable citizens, particularly homeless people and migrant laborers, from extreme weather. These centers provide free overnight stays and two nutritious meals a day, ensuring that even those without a home can live with basic dignity.
