National Social Protection Policy initiated by PC and PPDD
434 viewsBy admin - Wed Mar 17, 7:02 pm
The Planning Commission, Government of Pakistan, and Planning and Provincial Development Departments have initiated a process for the formulation of National Social Protection Policy, whose first consultative meeting was held on Wednesday at Peshawar.
The workshop has been organized by the P&D Department Government of NWFP, which was attended by the representatives of Federal and Provincial Departments and civil society organizations.
In his welcome remarks, secretary P&D appreciated the efforts of the Planning Commission to initiate a process with the involvement of relevant stakeholders for the formulation of National Social Protection Policy.
He expresed his hopes that the policy will address various core issues like overlapping and duplication resulting in wastage of resources, and Provincial allocations for social protection may not be reduced due to the NFC award.
Member, Social Sector, Planning Commission in her opening remarks expressed her gratitude for providing support and cooperation to the Planning Commission for the consultative process at Peshawar.
She informed the participants that Planning Commission had already prepared a draft chapter on social protection for 10th Plan which will ensure social protection as right of the citizens as guaranteed by the Constitution of Pakistan.
Dr. Asad Sayeed, Consultant made a brief presentation emphasizing major issues involve in social protection such as Risk Management Coordination Problem, Implications of NFC Award on Social Protection, Food Security and Targeting the poorest of the poor mechanism.
The presentation was followed by the questions answers session; while Before concluding the workshop, Secretary P&D, NWFP proposed to form a small core group for in-depth interaction with the Provincial Stakeholders.
He further emphasized that only workable, doable and sustainable recommendations would be drawn up. Secretary, Social Welfare in his concluding remarks stated that there was a significant lack of sharing of data and information amongst various Federal as well as Provincial Organizations and NGOs.
He further emphasized the need for involvement of all stakeholders especially gross root level NGOs for their input. He further reiterated that the policy should be viable and sustainable to address various issues confronted particularly the issues of overlapping and duplication with a strong and durable delivery mechanism at the Provincial level.
