Pakistan's Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal said on Friday that poverty alleviation is a central pillar of the national development agenda.

"The country is committed to eliminating poverty and building a society where no citizen is left behind, hungry or deprived of hope," the minister said in a statement on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

Highlighting various initiatives designed to address pressing economic challenges of the country, Iqbal said that a comprehensive plan, titled Uraan Pakistan (Rise Pakistan), has been formulated to ensure sustainable development, social inclusion and prosperity for all segments of society.

"When the economy stabilizes, its benefits reach every section of the population," he said, adding that economic stability generated employment opportunities, raised incomes and gradually lifted people out of poverty.

Commenting on the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the minister said that the government has been focusing on the industrial and agricultural sectors to promote inclusive growth and job creation under the CPEC.

"We are building a Pakistan where every citizen enjoys decent employment, quality education, better healthcare, and a secure future," Iqbal said.