Imran Khan addresses the launching ceremony of the 'Ehsaas Amdan Programme' in Layyah, Punjab province, on Friday. Twitter photo

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday launched the Rs15 billion “Ehsaas Amdan (income) Programme” in Layyah district of Punjab province, aimed creating opportunities for respectable livelihood for the most disadvantaged people through the transfer of assets.

Addressing the audience on the occasion, the premier thanked his aide Dr Sania Nishtar for her efforts in making this project a reality.

Referring to the “Ehsaas Kafalat Programme” launched in January, the premier said that women are given Rs2,000 each month so that "they can take care of their food by themselves." "A mother can lift up her entire house out of poverty. "Under the (Ehsaas Amdan) Programme, each woman will be given one cow, one buffalo and three goats so she can run her own home.”

The premier said every month 80,000 people will be given loans and 50,000 students from the downtrodden section of society will be awarded scholarships every year.

Talking about some of the measures his government has taken since coming into power, the premier said health cards had been made available to those who were unable to afford healthcare.

"We want the system to be equal for the rich and the poor," he said, adding that this equality will be brought in all aspects of governance.

Talking about police reforms, Khan said until now the common man was not secure but he wants to congratulate the new Punjab police chief Shoaib Dastagir. He asked the officer to go after gangsters.

He added that the government is also making efforts to bring a uniform syllabus throughout the country and reform the government education system.

"Government schoolteachers who do not come to the schools will be fired and teachers willing to teach will be hired in their place. Pakistan is out of difficult times ... there are challenges ahead but the country is on the right path. You will hear more good news in the coming days.”

Under the Rs15 billion programme, people living below the poverty line will be given small assets to use for income generation and to lift themselves out of poverty.

These assets include goats, cows, buffaloes, poultry, bodies of Qingqi rickshaws as well as inputs for small retail outlets and small enterprises.