Kathmandu, February 23 Newly appointed Vice Chairman of Poverty Alleviation Fund (PAF) YB Thapa, today, said that poverty alleviation should be a common goal of all political parties despite the ideological differences. “Speaking in a function held to welcome him at PAF secretariat, he stressed need to develop PAF as a self-reliant and self-regulating institution,” reads a statement issued by PAF secretariat. “Reducing poverty is a major target of the government and we need quality research and innovation for the effectiveness of PAF programmes,” the statement quoted Thapa as saying. “PAF should be a supporting arm of the government to achieve the goal.” The government appointed Thapa as the vice chairman of PAF on Monday. A former member of National Planning Commission, Thapa holds a PhD in Economics from Tribhuvan University. Prior to his appointment, he was affiliated with SAARC Secretariat as Poverty Alleviation Specialist.