ISLAMABAD (APP): Pakistan’s flagship poverty reduction initiative has generated approximately 179,000 new jobs nationwide, highlighting a key outcome of the National Poverty Graduation Programme (NPGP).
Poverty reduction initiative delivers large-scale employment gains
According to Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety document available with Wealth Pakistan, hundreds of thousands of households benefited from NPGP interventions during its implementation period. More than 165,000 households received productive livelihood assets along with technical training aimed at supporting sustainable income generation.
Livelihood assets and training support sustainable incomes
In addition, over 204,000 households accessed interest-free loans, with total disbursements exceeding 304,000, reflecting repeated support provided to beneficiaries for enterprise development and livelihood activities.
Interest-free loans boost enterprise development
Capacity building remained a central component of the programme. Nearly 227,000 households participated in structured livelihood training programmes covering enterprise development, financial literacy, asset management, and basic business skills.
Skills development strengthens economic self-reliance
These interventions were designed to enable beneficiaries to manage assets effectively and transition toward economic self-reliance.
Independent survey confirms poverty graduation outcomes
The programme’s impact was assessed through an independent endline survey conducted by a third-party evaluator. As cited in the document, the survey found that 56 percent of households receiving livelihood assets and interest-free loans successfully graduated out of extreme poverty.
Household incomes show sustained improvement
Additionally, 47 percent of beneficiaries reported an increase in household income of 30 percent or more, indicating sustained improvement in earning capacity.
Women’s empowerment emerges as key social outcome
The poverty reduction initiative also delivered notable social outcomes. According to the survey findings, 48 percent of women beneficiaries reported an increased role in household decision-making, reflecting gains in women’s empowerment alongside economic progress.
Strong inter-ministerial coordination drives success
The document attributes the successful implementation of the NPGP to strong coordination among federal institutions. The Finance Division supported fiscal allocations and ensured the timely release of funds, while the Economic Affairs Division facilitated external financing arrangements and donor coordination, including engagement with the International Fund for Agricultural Development.
Programme aligned with national development goals
The Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives worked closely with the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety to align the programme with national development priorities and integrate poverty graduation indicators into the federal Sustainable Development Goals framework.
Coordination with BISP improves targeting of ultra-poor
Close collaboration was also maintained with the Benazir Income Support Programme to synchronize beneficiary targeting through the National Socioeconomic Registry.
NPGP emerges as a leading poverty reduction initiative
As per the document, the National Poverty Graduation Programme has emerged as one of Pakistan’s most impactful poverty reduction initiatives, delivering measurable employment gains, economic uplift, and social empowerment for hundreds of thousands of low-income households across the country.
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