BISP’s progress of social protection initiative reviewed

Islamabad:Chairperson of Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Dr. Amjad Saqib, presided over a high level meeting to review the progress on Benazir Income Support Programme’s key initiatives, including Enrollment of Widows, inclusion of Adolescents in Nashonuma, Hybrid Social Protection Scheme, and Benazir Social Protection Accounts.

During the meeting, Dr. Amjad Saqib emphasized BISP's commitment to serving the impoverished. He underscored the importance of opening bank accounts for needy women, emphasizing digital literacy and financial inclusion.

Secretary BISP, Amer Ali Ahmad, provided a detailed overview of the agenda items during the meeting. The Director General (DGs) of various wings also updated Chairperson Dr. Amjad Saqib on the discussed topics.

DG NSER/CCT, Naveed Akbar informed the meeting that the target for opening accounts under the Benazir Social Protection Accounts had been successfully achieved, with a total of 9,800 accounts opened. Furthermore, 6,700 applications were received under the BISP Saving Scheme. Data of 8,900 widows have been identified. The Financial Literacy program, spanning 13 districts and benefiting 4,000 needy women, has been successfully completed.

Dr. Amjad Saqib urged that field offices receive training to educate underprivileged women about Social Protection Accounts, identifying those who already possess bank accounts as a priority. He instructed officials to ensure the operationalization of accounts opened under Benazir Social Protection Accounts, BISP Saving Scheme, and the Financial Literacy program by the end of January.

Present at the meeting were Addl. Secretary BISP, Dr. Muhammad Tahir Noor, DG Finance Wasim Ahmad, and DG OM Dr. Asim Ijaz whereas Zonal Director Generals of BISP also

virtually participated in the meeting.