The Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety convened a National Seminar on “Poverty Graduation – Pathways to Sustainable Livelihoods” on 27 November 2025 at Margalla Hotel, Islamabad, marking the completion of the National Poverty Graduation. The event brought together senior government officials, representatives from UN bodies, development organizations, academia, civil society and beneficiaries to learn from the program’s key takeaways and deliberate on the future directions.

The Honorable Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Syed Imran Ahmad Shah, graced the seminar as Chief Guest. In his address, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to its constitutional role of ensuring social justice, equity and provision of basic necessities of life such as food, shelter, clothing, education, & medical relief to citizens without discrimination. He highlighted that through NPGP, 370,567 households (165,807 Asset beneficiaries and 204,760 Interest Free loan beneficiaries), majority of them women-headed, have received support to start or expand small enterprises. He also announced that M/o PA&SS would scale up the poverty graduation through the upcoming Islamic Development Bank-supported program, Poverty Graduation for Extremely Poor and Flood-Affected Households (PGEP).

The Secretary PA&SS, Mr. Navid Ahmed Shaikh, emphasized that NPGP has proven that poverty graduation is achievable when programs are community-driven, women-centered, and strategically integrate productive assets, skills training, financial access, and market linkages.

IFAD Country Director Ms. Fernanda Thomaz da Rocha in her speech stated that the NPGP was built on Pakistan’s poverty graduation model, a tested approach that moves ultra-poor households from dependency to sustainable livelihoods. More than half of targeted households have successfully graduated out of poverty.

M/o PA&SS extends heartfelt thanks to all dignitaries, panelists, participants and partner organizations for their valuable contributions and continued support.