ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan inaugurated the “Koi Bhuka nahi Soye” food security program in Islamabad on Wednesday, the initiative is funded by Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and is a project of the Ehsas program.
The project’s pilot is being run by the Pakistan Bait-ul Maal (PBM) and Panahgah, whereas a private trust will be providing the food resources for the initiative. As of now, the food will be provided by mobile food trucks in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, with each food truck stopping at specific spots thrice a day. During the briefing to the Prime Minister, Special Assistant of the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Dr Sania Nishtar informed that these spots around the cities were chosen as a result of research regarding food security levels across localities, with the lower scoring localities being prioritised.
The food trucks are equipped with an in-built kitchen and will be serving fresh food to 7,000 people daily and more than a hundred thousand people in a month.
Addressing the attendees at the Panahgah, the Prime Minister said, “We need to make sure that the food provided is of quality and hygienic. Unfortunately, in our country, there is this perception that if someone is poor, then they do not care about the quality of the food; we can not do this. Everyone must be treated with respect, and their dignity must be protected while we serve them.”
The premier further added that many of our population does not have access to food twice a day, and this initiative would help more families save money, particularly the rural-to-urban migrant labourers. “I particularly want to congratulate Dr Sania Nishtar and her entire team, the Ehsaas program and the workers who are running these panahgahs,” said the premier.
