Rethinking Political Leadership and Social Welfare in Pakistan

Abstract

Political leadership plays a crucial role in shaping social welfare policies, particularly in developing countries like Pakistan, where poverty alleviation and social protection remain key governance challenges. The study aims to understand the role of political leadership in social welfare by evaluating the legacy of the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) and the Ehsaas Program. Despite their significance in addressing socio-economic inequalities, the existing literature lacks a comprehensive comparative analysis of their program under different political regimes. This study addresses the missing information by researching how political leadership priorities affect policy sustainability, effectiveness measures, and societal economic consequences. The research uses a qualitative methodology that relies on secondary data through research papers, government reports, and policy evaluations. The research reviews published literature to determine how BISP and Ehsaas perform in poverty reduction, financial inclusion, and social welfare advancement. The data shows how both programs reduced poverty, although their performance emerged from political beliefs, organizational structures, and institutional factors. The analysis demonstrates the necessity of establishing consistent welfare policies free from political manipulation for sustainable development.

Keywords: Political leadership, Social Welfare, Poverty Alleviation, Policy effectiveness, Governance