‘BISP budget increased manifold’

LAHORE

Benazir Income Support Programme chairperson Marvi Memon Thursday said the PML-N government increased BISP budgets manifold during the past few years and initiated various social protection initiatives following its development manifesto. 

Marvi was addressing a meeting organised by BISP during which Dr Kate Vyborny from Duke University USA presented her paper on “Reforming Institutions in Pakistan: Evidence from cash transfer in Pakistan.”

Speaking on the occasion, Marvi said: “March 23 is a special day that reminds us of Iqbal’s vision, the historic struggle and firm resolve of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah that led to the creation of Pakistan. The government is fully committed to fulfilling Quaid’s vision of a welfare state”. 

Punjab BISP DG Sarah Saeed presented the background and updated on the current status of the National Socio-Economic Registry (NSER). She said survey is going on successfully in the pilot districts all across Pakistan.

Dr Kate on the occasion presented evidence that shift to the PMT based targeting drastically reduced clan/Biradri-based patronage and increased representation of BISP recipients from villages other than those of politicians who were in the ruling party. 

In the meeting, which was widely attended by the Punjab government representatives including ministers, the past uses of BISP’s National Socio-Economic Registry were shared. Possible future initiatives, where the updated BISP NSER could be used, were identified in the areas of school enrollment, women empowerment, rural poverty alleviation programmes, higher education, agriculture and health. Participants stressed on two-way communication between BISP and social sector departments in the province.