Pak Committed To Make Its Cities Safer, Sustainable: Marvi Memon
Faizan Hashmi Published July 26, 2016 | 03:36 PM
ISLAMABAD,(UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th july,2016) : Pakistan is committed towards making it's growing cities safer, sustainable, economically productive and equitable for the rural and urban vulnerable, said Minister of State and Chairperson BISP, MNA Marvi Memon. She was representing Pakistan as the head of the NDI delegation on Global Women's Leadership Program at the third session of the Preparatory Committee for UN Habitat 3 at Surabaya Indonesia, said a press release recieved on Tuesday. "Habitat 3" is the third United Nations Conference on Housing and sustainable Urban Development that will take place in October 2016.
While making statement on behalf of Pakistan in the opening plenary session, the Minister stated that Pakistan has made commendable efforts towards implementation of Habitat-II Agenda, since the second United Nations Conference on Human settlements (Habitat - II) held in Istanbul in 1996. She highlighted that Pakistan was one of the most urbanized nations in South Asia.
The urban population has increased tremendously from 43.0 million in 1998 and is expected to become pre-dominantly urbanized by the year 2025. Pakistani Government had launched Vision 2025, a perspective plan, which has implications for managing urbanization as well as changing urban demography in line with UN Habitat New Urban agenda, she added.
In this regard, she mentioned government initiatives of construction of low cost housing schemes under Prime Minister's Program, Apna Ghar Scheme in Punjab and fast development of Integrated Mass transit System, Metro Bus and Metro-rail in major cities.
She reiterated that Programs like Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), Pakistan's largest social safety net for the poorest women living in rural and urban Pakistan, are critical for this New Urban Agenda.
Being the only custodian of the gender issues and women empowerment, BISP will be key to ensure gender equity whilst cities develop in Pakistan. Initiatives like microcredit interest free loans and BISP E-commerce are empowering women in the rural and urban spaces. Creating safer and violence free urbanization especially for the vulnerable women is a key challenge for Pakistan which BISP through its advocacy will manage well in coordination with the provinces and Federal ministries like Finance, Planning & Development, Foreign Affairs, Climate Change, Housing and Works and PM Youth Program.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
WASA launches comprehensive campaign to test quality of water
Food Authority team conducts operation in Jackson market harbor area
KCP Captain Shahzaib Rind calls on Balochistan CM
PNCA to organize folk, classical & Sufi dance performances on Int'l Dance Day
Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan Haji Gulbar Khan calls on Minister for Privatis ..
Germany nudges up growth forecast, ailing economy at 'turning point'
USC to hold ‘E-Kachehry' on April 25 (tomorrow)
Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir ..
Kewell's Yokohama beat Ulsan to reach Asian Champions League final
DC directs to implement fixed prices of Naan,Tandoori Roti
Revised UAF budget recommended
Hajj permits start for domestic pilgrims in Saudi Arabia
More Stories From Pakistan
-
WASA launches comprehensive campaign to test quality of water
14 minutes ago -
Food Authority team conducts operation in Jackson market harbor area
14 minutes ago -
KCP Captain Shahzaib Rind calls on Balochistan CM
13 minutes ago -
PNCA to organize folk, classical & Sufi dance performances on Int'l Dance Day
13 minutes ago -
USC to hold ‘E-Kachehry' on April 25 (tomorrow)
14 minutes ago -
Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir takes notice of Ast ..
14 minutes ago
-
DC directs to implement fixed prices of Naan,Tandoori Roti
13 minutes ago -
Hajj permits start for domestic pilgrims in Saudi Arabia
13 minutes ago -
Atta Tarar presents Rs 1 million cheque to Karachi Press Club
13 minutes ago -
Provision of conducive environ vital for growth of businesses: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Shari ..
13 minutes ago -
ISSI, FES hold int'l moot 'Pakistan in the Emerging Geopolitical Landscape'
37 minutes ago -
Anonymous allegations against PR chairman rejected
37 minutes ago