BISP proposes skills partnership with KCCI

KARACHI: Director General of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Sindh Zulfiqar Ali Shaikh has proposed that the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) under the Benazir Hunarmand Programme.

The proposed agreement aims to facilitate collaboration on demand-driven skills training, endorsement of certified training institutions, and joint efforts to ensure the success of the initiative.

“We want to establish a robust mechanism in which the business community guides us on labour market requirements, enabling BISP beneficiaries to receive relevant training, gain employability and become self-reliant,” said Shaikh, speaking during a meeting at the KCCI on Monday.

The DG noted that while 10 million families across Pakistan -- including 2.7 million in Sindh -- benefit from BISP, reliance on cash stipends is not sustainable. “As poverty continues to rise, our approach must evolve. A partnership with the KCCI could be transformative by linking vulnerable households to economic opportunities,” he said. Such a collaboration, he added, would not only improve livelihoods but also help address skilled labour shortages in the industrial and manufacturing sectors.

Additional Secretary BISP Dr Tahir Noor noted that the government has allocated Rs720 billion to the programme this year, with Rs13,500 in stipends being distributed to women in eligible households. However, with an estimated 45 per cent of the population now living below the poverty line, a shift in approach is critical.

Dr Noor emphasised the need for the KCCI’s support in identifying real-time labour market demand in Karachi, endorsing reputable training institutes, and helping integrate trained individuals into the workforce. “This isn’t just about reducing dependency on stipends -- it’s about creating productive citizens who contribute to the economy,” he remarked.

Earlier, KCCI President Muhammad Jawed Bilwani welcomed the BISP delegation and extended full support for the proposed collaboration. He called for strict oversight to ensure that BISP funds are utilised efficiently and reach only those most in need. Speaking on the Benazir Hunarmand Programme, he said: “We fully support this initiative because it aims to break the cycle of poverty. Providing skills instead of permanent aid is the right way forward.”