Karachi: Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Shazia Marri said that around 8.9 million families being provided financial assistance under BISP would be increased up to 9 million by June 2023 and up to 10 million by 2024.

She said financial assistance was provided directly to women as family heads, which clearly reflected priorities of BISP programme towards women empowerment.

Talking to a delegation of USAID headed by Michael Schiffer, Assistant Administrator of Bureau for Asia at Embassy of Pakistan Washington D.C, they discussed various interventions being made under umbrella of Benazir Income Support Programme to provide relief to vulnerable sections of society.

She said that BISP over last 14 years has evolved into successful model and it was serving poorest of poor without any discrimination.

She highlighted that National Social Economic Registry had enabled government of Pakistan with scientific database to reach out to most deserving and marginalized strata of society in Pakistan.

Conditional cash transfers in education and health sector were aimed at socio-economic uplift of poor families with education, better health and skill development.

She informed delegation that 364 Benazir Nashonuma Facilitation Centres were operating across Pakistan to address nutritional issues of women and children. She appreciated continued support of World Bank, ADB and GIZ towards social safety and poverty alleviation.

Michael Schiffer lauded role of BISP in social protection sector especially in providing swift relief to calamity-affected population. He underscored that USAID and US Administration looked forward to strengthening their friendship and partnership with Pakistan.

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 09 2023

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