Karachi: Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Shazia Marri said Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) set target to enroll 1.5 million children and pregnant and lactating mothers under Benazir Nashonuma program by year 2025.

In statement issued here, Shazia Marri said that total of 0.643 million pregnant and lactating mothers and their new-born children had been enrolled in Benazir Nashonuma Programme so far.

Minister stated that government was taking care of nutritional needs of beneficiaries through this initiative mainly to prevent stunting in children during first 1000 days of their development.

Under Nashonuma programme, Rs 24 billion had been distributed among beneficiaries so far, she added. She conveyed that around 487 Facilitation Centres had been established in 157 districts of country.

Special nutritious food and immunisations are ensured for children aged 6-23 months while awareness sessions on hygiene, sanitation and nutrition were also being conducted as part of programme, minister said. Shazia Marri said that coalition government and Pakistan Peoples’ Party were advancing social safety agenda. She emphasised need of more investment for nutritional needs of poor.

She highlighted that proposal to increase budget of Nashonuma programme from 21.8 billion rupees to 32 billion rupees was under-consideration.

Published in The Daily National Courier, June, 09 2023

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