Benazir Hunarmand programme's expansion planned

Islamabad:Chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme Senator Rubina Khalid presided over a key meeting at BISP headquarters here on Thursday to discuss the skill development of BISP beneficiaries under the Benazir Hunarmand programme.

Senator Rubina emphasised BISP’s commitment to improving the lives of its beneficiaries. "We are not only providing assistance to ease their lives but also working to enhance their livelihoods and increase their income. We understand that acquiring valuable skills leads to better opportunities and higher incomes. What sets us apart is our focus on not just offering training, but ensuring that the trained youth are fully equipped and employable in the job market," she said.

The BISP chairperson said skill was the only asset no one could steal and that it played a crucial role in the economic empowerment of a family. She said the Benazir Hunarmand programme, part of BISP’s efforts to empower marginalised communities, aimed to equip youth, especially women, with essential skills for economic uplift, poverty reduction and increased workforce participation. "Until 2023, skill training was not part of the Conditional Cash Transfer education stipend programme. In 2024, BISP developed and approved a strategy to incorporate skills training for youth within the programme. In 2026, BISP will sign a performance-based agreement with two public sector skill training providers to launch initiatives in four districts."

The BISP chairperson said by 2027, the programme will expand to cities like Quetta, Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, enrolling 2,500 students in six-month TVET courses, further broadening its impact.