Minister Visits Zakat Foundation Headquarters in Chicago, Discusses Welfare Cooperation
Chicago: Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Pir Syed Imran Ahmad Shah visited the headquarters of the Zakat Foundation of America in Chicago, accompanied by Pakistan’s Consul General in Chicago Zaman Mehdi.
On arrival, the minister was warmly welcomed by Zakat Foundation of America Chief Executive Officer Khalil Demir, Advisor Planning and Development Farukh Raza, and senior members of the Foundation’s leadership team.
During the visit, CEO Khalil Demir briefed the federal minister on the Foundation’s humanitarian work across the world. A documentary presentation was also shown, highlighting the organisation’s activities in more than 40 countries. These initiatives include orphan sponsorship, emergency disaster relief, education for out-of-school children, provision of clean drinking water, skills development, rehabilitation programmes, mental health services, and several other welfare projects.
Pir Syed Imran Ahmad Shah thanked the Zakat Foundation of America for inviting him to attend the upcoming Turkish Cultural Festival. He appreciated the Foundation’s humanitarian services at the global level and especially acknowledged its welfare and development work in Pakistan.
Speaking on the occasion, the federal minister shared details of the achievements and continuing initiatives of Pakistan’s Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety. He said that, in line with the vision of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, the Ministry was carrying out various social protection programmes to improve the lives of vulnerable and underprivileged families across Pakistan.
He said institutions working under the Ministry, including the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal, and the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA), were playing an important role in reducing poverty. He noted that these institutions were contributing through financial support, vocational skills training, education, healthcare, and social welfare initiatives.
The minister said the Government of Pakistan was committed to ensuring that deserving citizens receive quality healthcare, education, livelihood opportunities, and social protection services at their doorstep.
Both sides reaffirmed their resolve to further strengthen cooperation in poverty alleviation, human development, and social welfare in Pakistan.
At the end of the visit, Pir Syed Imran Ahmad Shah formally invited Zakat Foundation of America CEO Khalil Demir to visit Pakistan. Prominent members of the Pakistani-American community in Chicago were also present on the occasion.
