APP
First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari has emphasised that community engagement, public trust and inclusive leadership are essential for sustainable development, stressing that lasting solutions must be shaped by the needs and experiences of local communities.
In an article published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pakistan, she highlighted the growing challenges posed by climate change, conflicts, economic pressures, inequality and displacement, calling for collective action and stronger partnerships to address them.
Reflecting on the legacy of her mother, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, Aseefa Bhutto Zardari said public service was a responsibility rooted in listening to people, understanding their concerns and standing with those whose voices often go unheard.
Drawing on her experiences across Pakistan, she said development should be measured not merely through policies and programmes but by improvements in people’s lives, including greater security for families, better opportunities for children and stronger communities.
She underscored the role of frontline health workers in Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts, noting that their engagement with families and continued efforts to build trust are as important as vaccine delivery.
The first lady also highlighted the contribution of the Benazir Income Support Programme in providing social protection and helping vulnerable families cope with economic hardship.
Addressing climate-related challenges, she said Pakistan’s recurring floods and heatwaves had demonstrated the importance of community resilience. She cited the devastating floods of 2022 as a reminder that recovery requires listening to affected populations and addressing their long-term needs.
Aseefa Bibi acknowledged Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s efforts to engage with affected families and raise Pakistan’s case at the international level, highlighting the need for long-term recovery beyond emergency relief.
She praised the Sindh People’s Housing for Flood Affectees (SPHF) initiative as an example of climate-resilient reconstruction, helping flood-affected families rebuild safer homes and livelihoods.
The first lady also stressed the need to invest in young people through education and expanded opportunities, while emphasising women’s role as community leaders, entrepreneurs and agents of change.
Highlighting the importance of international cooperation, she said governments, international organisations, civil society and local communities must work together to tackle challenges such as poverty, public health emergencies and climate change.
Acknowledging UNDP’s role in supporting institutional development and resilience, she maintained that sustainable progress depended on cooperation and a shared commitment to improving people’s lives.
The first lady said lasting change begins in communities, where trust is built and people are empowered to shape their futures through meaningful participation and inclusive leadership.