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PM calls for integrated approach to meet MDGs

* NCHD told to help govt fight terrorism by focusing on education
* Commission’s programmes expanded to 122 districts since 2002

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: An integrated approach is required for the government to meet its Millennium Development Goals (MDG) in literacy, primary education, and healthcare, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Friday.

Chairing a meeting to review the performance of the National Commission for Human Development (NCHD), the PM approved Rs 600 million, in addition to the Rs 300 million already earmarked for the Public Sector Development Programme 2009-10, to ensure timely implementation of the commission’s projects.

Focus: The PM instructed the NCHD to help the government fight terrorism by focusing on primary education and adult literacy.

He also directed the Finance Ministry to ensure timely funding for the approved projects.

Gilani instructed the NCHD to prepare a projection plan, in consultation with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, to create public awareness and asked the commission to generate funds by involving the private sector.

“The government is emphasising on improving human development indicators in Pakistan,” he said.

The PM reaffirmed the government’s commitment towards ensuring transparency and accountability at all levels and asked the NCHD to take appropriate measures in this regard.

Giving a presentation, NHCD Chairwoman Nafisa Shah said the commission was mandated under the NCHD ordinance to run programmes in education, healthcare and volunteerism for community development.

Expansion: She said since its creation in 2002, the NCHD had expanded its programmes to 122 districts across the country.

“The NCHD programme is undertaken with an annual cost of Rs 2.3 billion and involves more than 50,000 employees. This programme will be implemented in almost every district in the country,” she said. Highlighting the achievements of the NHCD’s Universal Primary Education Programme, she said the commission’s efforts had led to the enrolment of 8.2 million school children between the age of 5 and 7 years, adding the drop out rate reduced from 50 to 20 percent in 17 districts.

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