Efforts to Alleviate Poverty Through Social Support Programs: Are we on the Right Track

Abstract

Poverty has long afflicted Pakistan and continues to exist as a great socioeconomic concern. This study examines the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) and the Ehsaas Program in detail using the qualitative data analysis approach. It recognizes the importance of these programs in eradicating poverty by providing immediate financial assistance to millions of low-income individuals. These initiatives have increased household consumption, empowered women and tackles not just financial insecurity but also healthcare, education, and malnutrition. The analysis also highlights significant challenges like targeting inefficiencies, administrative issues, corruption and regional differences in the prevalence of poverty. However, these programs fail to address the root causes that foster poverty, such as low literacy rates, unemployment, and limited access to healthcare. The study underlines the need for Pakistan to carry out more conditional cash transfers and job creation initiatives, to treat rural poverty, like India's MGNREGA and Brazil's Bolsa Família plans. In conclusion, the policy proposals stress the need of moving away from providing temporary financial assistance to targeting the underlying cause of poverty with an integrated strategy. This strategy should target poverty with broader development objectives in the areas of employment, healthcare, education and climate change.