Number of BISP beneficiaries to reach 10m by Dec: Rubina

By Our Correspondent

October 12, 2024

Chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Senator Rubina Khalid speaking at the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) on Oct 11, 2024. — PID

FAISALABAD: The number of beneficiaries under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) will increase from 9.3 million to 10 million by the end of this year, said Senator Rubina Khalid, Chairperson of BISP.

During her address at the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI), she highlighted that the program provides crucial relief to the poorest families, helping them bridge the gap between income and expenses.

Khalid also expressed her intention to revive the Waseela-e-Rozgar Scheme to impart market-driven skills, particularly to girls from registered families. This would enable them to secure jobs or start businesses, contributing to the country’s economy. She added that six banks would soon be authorized to disburse funds, improving the current system and ensuring transparency by linking it with NADRA, FBR, and the Excise Department. The system’s digitisation aims to prevent misuse, and new applications are being processed to expand coverage to unmarried aged women.

She said that the skilled human resource could also start their own businesses or could be exported abroad to earn precious foreign exchange for the country. She said that currently many institutions are providing skill training but it is not targeted. She said that we would provide targeted training so that these children could get respectable jobs without any hassle.

Responding to a question, she said that currently two banks are authorised to disburse financial assistance which was causing problems for the large numbers of beneficiaries. She said that BISP was contemplating to authorize 6 banks for this purpose in addition to transferring approved stipend in their bank accounts without any human intervention.

She further said that new applications are also being entertained but they have to provide their CNIC, “B” Form and Electricity Bill etc. She quoted her meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari, who had directed her to ensure full payment to the registered beneficiaries without hurting their ego.