Islamabad (HRNW) The Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Poverty Alleviation & Social Safety Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi has directed the Benazir Income Support Program to expand the operations of BISP and ensure that maximum beneficiaries are benefited from the funding of the government.
Federal Secretary Benazir Income Support Programme Mr. Yusuf Khan gave detailed briefing to SAPM at BISP Headquarters Islamabad. On this occasion, the Additional Secretary and all Director Generals were also present who replied the queries of SAPM.
Mr. Yusuf Khan briefed the SAPM on all the components of Benazir Income Support Program including Benazir Kafalat, Benazir Taleemi Wazaif, Benazir Nashonuma, Benazir Undergraduate Program and etc.
The SAPM was informed that under BISP’s regular funding, 8.1 Million families of country are being provided Rs 7000, quarterly, and the current level of PMT (Proxy Means Test) is 32. “The BISP is in process to complete the disbursement of Rs. 70 Billion among 2.7 Million families under Prime Minister’s Cash relief in the calamity-hit/flood affected areas of Pakistan, and so far 97.3 % of disbursement has been done” the Federal Secretary BISP added.
Secretary BISP Mr. Yusuf Khan further informed Mr. Kundi that BISP, under Benazir Taleemi Wazaif, has given Rs. 21.6 Billion to the students of class 1 to 12, and the girls are given a little bit more stipends so that their parents keep their education continue. He added that under Benazir Undergraduate Program 92000 students of poor families having enrolment in approved public sector educational institutions are being funded with tuition fees and in addition Rs 40,000/ annually for their living expenditures. In last two years Rs. 20.62 Billions have been disbursed in this connection.
The SAPM Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi was also informed that BISP is in process to revamp the current payment system, and introduce a new banking system under which the beneficiaries would open up their own bank accounts to get funding in a dignified way. This would be a financial empowerment for women, and in this connection BISP is in consultation with Banks through the State Bank of Pakistan.
After briefing, Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi visited different parts of BISP HQ including its call center and NSER sections where he was informed that Pakistan would be on top who introduces dynamic registry to collect and compile the data of families facing financial difficulties.
Operations of Benazir Income Support Program should be expanded: Faisal Karim Kundi
