Pakistan, Turkey to cooperate in social sector: Raja

ANKARA: Federal Minister and Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) on Wednesday urged to enhance cooperation between Pakistan and Turkey in social sector.

She was speaking with the management of ten top level Turkish NGOs working in different sectors like health, education and social development. Presidents and members of Board of directors of various umbrella organizations representing multiple NGOs were also present.

According to a press release, Farzana Raja briefed the officials in detail about various initiatives of BISP and urged for an increased cooperation between Pakistan and Turkey in social sector. The NGOs displayed keen interest in the working of BISP especially Vocational and Technical Training initiative and were appreciative of the success of the Programme.

Meeting was followed by a long question and answer session in which participant showed their keenness in the operational working of BISP. There was a willingness to help flood affected beneficiaries of the BISP and various ways and means in this regard were discussed.

Many NGOs expressed desire of collaborating with BISP and channelizing their assistance through BISP. Farzana Raja pledged full support of BISP and Government of Pakistan for this venture.

In a meeting with Faik Yavuz, Vice President of Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey at Ankara, Farzana Raja urged the business community of Turkey to help vulnerable sections of society. She said “We should move from global village of inequalities to the universal family of equalities”.

She referred to corporate social responsibility and said businessmen and investors should share the burden of providing social services and ensure welfare of people in their area of operations. Benazir Bhutto lived for the people of Pakistan and she sacrificed her life for their cause. She believed in women empowerment and BISP is reflective of present Government’s commitment to her vision. She quoted Turkish President who in a meeting with her also termed BISP as best tribute to Benazir Bhutto Shaheed’s legacy. She said no country could achieve equitable economic development unless and until the poor sections of society are also focused.

Vice President of Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey while appreciating BISP welcomed the proposal of partnership with Pakistan in the vocational and technical training sector initiative of BISP. He also briefed Federal Minister about “Gul Train” which is a project that could gear up economic activities in our region.

The project is a result of the efforts of President Zardari and President Abdullah Gul. Farzana Raja took keen interest in GUL train project and suggested various measures for effective and efficient implementation of the project as it will help in improving the socio-economic condition of the region.

In Istanbul, Chairperson BISP along with the delegation met Omer Cihad Vardan, President of the Independent Industrialists and Businessmen’s Association (MUSIAD) and the senior management. President of the Independent Industrialists and Businessmen’s Association was deeply impressed by BISP’s Poverty Survey and the extent of databank of BISP. He promised to share the information about BISP with the members of his association so that the platform of BISP could be used to help deprived segments of society in Pakistan.

During the meeting Farzana Raja’s proposal of hiring BISP trained labor force in projects of the Independent Industrialists and Businessmen’s Association in Pakistan and abroad was also discussed. Secretary BISP Sher Khan and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkey Haroon Shaukat accompanied Chairperson BISP in these meetings.

via ONLINE – International News Network.