Pakistan, Türkiye agree to strengthen cooperation on social protection

Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Syed Imran Ahmad Shah reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Türkiye in the areas of social protection, poverty reduction and community development, as both countries agreed to begin work on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing institutional collaboration and sharing successful welfare practices.

The understanding was reached during a bilateral meeting between Syed Imran Ahmad Shah and Türkiye’s Minister of Family and Social Services, H.E. Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, on the sidelines of the 9th Ministerial Conference on the Role of Women in the Development of OIC Member States, currently taking place in Islamabad.

Welcoming the Turkish delegation, the federal minister expressed gratitude to Minister Göktaş for visiting Pakistan and highlighted the enduring friendship between Pakistan and Türkiye. He said the relationship between the two countries has been built on decades of mutual trust, shared cultural and religious values, and consistent support for one another during challenging times. He added that both nations continue to enjoy strong diplomatic ties and remain committed to expanding cooperation in areas that directly improve the lives of their people.

During the meeting, Syed Imran Ahmad Shah briefed the Turkish delegation on Pakistan’s social protection framework and outlined the contributions of the country’s leading welfare institutions. He highlighted the important role played by the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM), Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), and the Trust for Voluntary Organizations (TVO) in extending financial assistance, supporting underprivileged communities, and promoting inclusive and sustainable development across the country.

The minister also acknowledged Türkiye’s advanced and technology-driven social protection system, describing it as an effective model for delivering welfare services. He praised the Turkish Ministry of Family and Social Services for successfully implementing comprehensive family support and social assistance programmes. He noted that Pakistan is particularly interested in learning from Türkiye’s experience in digital service delivery, disability inclusion, family-focused welfare initiatives, and institutional coordination to further strengthen its own social safety mechanisms.

Referring to the ongoing partnership between Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), the federal minister appreciated the successful implementation of collaborative initiatives, including the Ramazan Food Programme and the Centralized Kitchen Project. He said these projects have made a meaningful contribution to supporting vulnerable communities and reflected the spirit of cooperation between the two countries.

Expressing his desire to deepen this partnership, Syed Imran Ahmad Shah proposed expanding collaboration through joint development projects, technical exchanges, capacity-building programmes, and knowledge-sharing initiatives in the fields of social welfare and poverty alleviation.

Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen its social protection system and particularly praised the internationally recognised Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). She acknowledged the programme’s significant role in providing financial assistance to vulnerable households and promoting women’s economic empowerment through greater financial inclusion.

Both ministers agreed to initiate a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Pakistan’s Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety and Türkiye’s Ministry of Family and Social Services. The proposed agreement is expected to create a formal framework for cooperation by promoting the exchange of best practices, encouraging institutional partnerships, and enhancing collaboration in social protection, poverty alleviation, community development, and welfare programmes.

The meeting was also attended by Türkiye’s Ambassador to Pakistan, H.E. İrfan Neziroğlu, along with senior officials from both countries. Both sides concluded the discussions by expressing confidence that closer cooperation would further strengthen the longstanding Pakistan-Türkiye partnership while improving the effectiveness of social welfare initiatives and contributing to the well-being of vulnerable communities in both nations.