Collaboration Between Federal and Provincial Governments Is Not an Option, but a Necessity: Dr Shereen Mustafa

Karachi (24 February 2025): The Second National Social Protection Conference revisited key discussions from the First National Social Protection Conference in 2023, with experts emphasising the need for clarity and collaboration in shaping Pakistan’s social protection framework.

Dr Shereen Mustafa, Chairperson, Chief Minister Inspection Team, Government of Sindh, reflected on three major challenges raised during the first conference:

✅ Defining the difference between social welfare and social protection.

✅ Managing and preventing programme overlap.

✅ Ensuring data accessibility and better utilisation.

She emphasised that data-sharing is critical for eliminating duplication and improving service delivery. "Collaboration between federal and provincial governments is not an option; it is a necessity if we want to maximise impact and efficiency in social protection," she stated. Since 2023, stakeholders have engaged in international conferences and knowledge-sharing initiatives, strengthening the collective effort to build an inclusive and resilient social protection system in Pakistan.