Project Brief:

The precarization of the Khawaja Sira community has reduced its members to a state of bare life, marginalized by an extraordinary state of exception. This has forced them to exist in a precarious public sphere, embodying what it means to be vulnerable. Despite being dispossessed, socially excluded, and economically marginalized, their resilience shines through in their struggle to survive on the peripheries of society. This project will delve into the individual narratives of precarity, the structural issues of marginalization, and the formal and informal social protection networks available to them. A key focus will be the impact of the Benazir Kafaalat Program’s financial assistance on the lives of the Khawaja Sira community.

Public Policy Relevance:

This project will address the critical question of whether a safety net approach is adequate to mitigate the socioeconomic challenges faced by the Khawaja Sira community, or if a more holistic and comprehensive strategy is necessary. The research aims to influence policy by providing evidence-based recommendations to enhance social protection measures for the Khawaja Sira community.

Team Details:
Principal Investigator
Rana Imran Ahmed
Lecturer
University of Sargodha, Sargodha

Co-PI
Dr. Maliha Gull Tarar
Associate Professor
University of Sargodha, Sargodha

Co-PI
Dr. Aaqib Shahzad Alvi
Associate Professor
University of Sargodha, Sargodha

Research Associate
Dr. Sadia Rafi
Assistant Professor
University of Sargodha, Sargodha