Dr Sania Nishtar

Dr Sania Nishtar, who does not know this name anymore! This Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation is an exquisite leader in her own ways. One can only dream of what she has achieved in her life. With her unique combination of experience in government institutions, civil society and international organizations, she is playing a key role in the current situation of Pakistan.

After launching a non-profit institution Heartfile, she has made her ways into policymaking paradigm of Pakistan. After proving her skills at several prominent positions, she, also, served as the Federal Minister in-the Pakistan Caretaker Government. She revolutionized the Ministry of Health of Pakistan which led to reforms in Pakistan medical regulatory body. Devising and authoring Pakistan’s first health reform plan, Pakistan’s first compendium of health statistics, and the country’s first national public health plan for Noncommunicable Diseases are among her remarkable works.

Currently, Dr Sania is serving as Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation and Chairperson of Benazir Income Support Program. She is at the forefront of Ehsaas, a program launched by the Government of Pakistan to tackle poverty and its related problems. Recently, the Pakistan government launched Ehsaas Emergency Cash for job-loss affected people and protecting the poor in Pakistan amidst Covid-19.

Dr. Sania has taken all the essential measures to ensure the implementation of this program. With her negotiation and consensus-building skills, she is inventing policies to protect the vulnerable in the pandemic. She is strengthening the institutional mechanisms through the use of technology bringing innovation and transparency in official businesses. Her current efforts are not just circling around the poverty alleviation but also the betterment of public health systems in Pakistan.

Dr Nishtar is doing all she can to deliver to the people of Pakistan by safeguarding the democratic principles of transparency and rule of law. She is an exemplary woman who can lead and inspire. Dr Nishtar is the face of Pakistan, she is an image that the world needs to look at. Despite being in a developing country, she is an inspiration for the developed world that she is a custodian of leadership and a true server of people. We are proud of our women!