Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation Syed Imran Ahmed Shah declared Balochistan essential for Pakistan's advancement during a GRASP ceremony focused on agricultural women's empowerment. Governor Sheikh Jaffar Khan Mandokhail and Provincial Education Minister Raheela Durrani attended the event, addressing rural development challenges. Shah announced 200 university scholarships for disadvantaged students, 100 sewing machines for women, and 100 wheelchairs for disabled individuals. Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal offers medical support reaching Rs. 1.5 million per person for emergency healthcare needs. The minister emphasized that poverty extends beyond income limitations to resource access and opportunity gaps.
The EU-funded GRASP project operates through the International Trade Centre collaboration with FAO and PPAF across 22 underserved districts. Program achievements encompass 399 matching grants totaling Rs. 1.52 billion for rural entrepreneurs and partnerships with 24 financial institutions. Training programs reached 1,271 participants in business planning and financial literacy skills. Women operate nearly half the resulting enterprises, demonstrating significant progress toward economic empowerment and financial inclusion for rural communities.
The EU-funded GRASP project operates through the International Trade Centre collaboration with FAO and PPAF across 22 underserved districts. Program achievements encompass 399 matching grants totaling Rs. 1.52 billion for rural entrepreneurs and partnerships with 24 financial institutions. Training programs reached 1,271 participants in business planning and financial literacy skills. Women operate nearly half the resulting enterprises, demonstrating significant progress toward economic empowerment and financial inclusion for rural communities.
