Pakistan drives South-South cooperation through innovations, development models: President

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has said that Pakistan has emerged as an important actor in promoting South-South cooperation by sharing its policy innovations and community-based development models with other developing countries.
“Through sharing its experience in health, education, and social protection, Pakistan is contributing to building inclusive and resilient societies across the Global South. We are sharing our experience in digital cash transfers and registry-based targeting through the Benazir Income Support Programme and the National Socio-Economic Registry,” the president said in an interview with a Doha-based English newspaper during his visit to Qatar.
Calling technology central to Pakistan’s social protection system, he said that the National Socio-Economic Registry and biometric verification made cash transfers transparent and ensured assistance reaching the right families.
He said that under BISP, digital wallets were helping women manage payments safely and build financial independence.
Sharing his long-term vision for a socially and economically inclusive Pakistan, he said that the long-term goal was to provide access to social protection to every family, financial independence to women, and decent employment to young people.
“We want to achieve these calls for sound economic management, efficient delivery systems, and strong partnerships through the Doha and Sustainable Development Goals frameworks. We want social protection to serve as the backbone of inclusive and climate-resilient growth.”
President Zardari, who visited Qatar to attend the Second World Summit for Social Development, spoke highly of Qatar’s constructive role in promoting regional peace and dialogue.
He said that Qatar had played an important mediating role in regional peace efforts, including facilitating talks between Hamas and international interlocutors, and hosting the US-Taliban dialogue that paved the way for the Afghan peace process and addressed Pakistan’s regional concerns.
“Qatar’s commitment to dialogue and humanitarian diplomacy resonates with Pakistan’s own vision for peace, stability and development in the region.”
He said that Pakistan and Qatar shared a deep, multidimensional partnership anchored in shared faith, culture, and mutual respect. Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1972, both nations have expanded cooperation in political, economic, defence, energy, and humanitarian fields,” he added.
In the current geopolitical context, President Zardari said that the partnership had strategic significance for regional peace, energy security, and social development.
He said that the Pakistani community in Qatar remained a vital link in enduring bilateral relationship as their hard work and professionalism had contributed greatly to Qatar’s remarkable development, while their remittances and skills continue to strengthen Pakistan’s economy and deepen people-to-people ties.
Besides, he said the Government of Pakistan was helping its workers to enhance their skills and use formal banking channels so they could access better opportunities abroad and support their families and the national economy more effectively.”
To a question about his views on the role of regional collaboration, particularly with Qatar and other Gulf countries, in achieving shared development goals, he said that regional collaboration was crucial.
“Pakistan and Gulf countries can cooperate on labour mobility, skills, and sustainable investment. Working together on climate-resilient infrastructure and social protection strengthens regional stability and supports the shared goals reflected in the Doha Declaration.” (APP)