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Pakistan will host delegates from 12 countries in Islamabad on October 13-14 to explore sustainable poverty reduction, resilient livelihoods and inclusive economic growth as poverty pressures mount.
Pakistan will host delegates from 12 countries in Islamabad on October 13-14 for an international conference aimed at finding lasting solutions to poverty, expanding economic opportunities and strengthening vulnerable communities’ resilience against financial and climate related shocks.
The International Conference on Inclusive and Resilient Economic Empowerment and Growth, organised under the theme “Poverty to Prosperity,” comes as Pakistan faces mounting pressure to reverse worsening poverty levels and create sustainable livelihoods for disadvantaged households.
According to the United Nations, nearly 29% of Pakistan’s population lives below the poverty line, up from 21.9% six years ago. Repeated floods, droughts and other economic disruptions have further strained household incomes, damaged agricultural production and threatened livelihoods.
Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation Syed Imran Ahmad Shah said the conference would provide a platform to assess progress, exchange evidence-based insights and strengthen cooperation among public institutions, development partners and local communities. He said the objective was to translate policy priorities into tangible development outcomes.
The Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) is organising the event in collaboration with the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, the Centre of Excellence for National Cohesion and Outreach, and Paigham-e-Pakistan, ahead of the United Nations’ International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on October 17.
PPAF Chief Executive Officer Nadir Gul Barech said lasting poverty reduction required more than short-term financial assistance. He highlighted the need to combine social protection with skills training, productive assets, access to finance and stronger market connections to help vulnerable households build independent, sustainable incomes.
Barech said PPAF had facilitated 3.69 million interest-free loans worth Rs149.61 billion since 2014, reporting a 98% recovery rate. Its initiatives have also contributed to more than 88,000 jobs, provided skills and vocational training to 501,500 people, and supported 35,290 community infrastructure schemes benefiting approximately 17.57 million people.
Operating across 157 districts through 164 partner organisations, PPAF will bring field experience and community perspectives into discussions on expanding economic participation. Participants are expected to examine employment, investment, technology, financing and market access as tools for strengthening livelihoods and preventing vulnerable families from slipping back into poverty.
The conference aligns with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s “Uraan Pakistan” vision for inclusive economic development. Its central challenge will be turning policy discussions into practical, scalable measures that help households withstand economic shocks and move from temporary assistance towards lasting financial independence.
