Islamabad: First Lady Bibi Asifa Bhutto Zardari visited the headquarters of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) in Islamabad, where she chaired a meeting to review the program’s initiatives aimed at poverty alleviation, women’s empowerment, financial inclusion, and skills development. Chairperson BISP Senator Rubina Khalid and Secretary BISP Amer Ali Ahmad provided a briefing on the program’s achievements and ongoing efforts.
According to Press Information Department, the First Lady acknowledged the role of BISP in supporting vulnerable families and championing women’s empowerment. She stressed the importance of financial literacy and public awareness to enable beneficiaries to make informed financial choices and access their entitled assistance with dignity and transparency. She called for the enhancement of grievance redressal mechanisms, potential collaboration with Lady Health Workers to extend community outreach, and increased use of social and digital media to promote BISP’s programs and services. She assured BISP of her full support in advancing its initiatives.
Senator Rubina Khalid highlighted BISP’s economic contributions, referencing a World Bank study that indicates every rupee spent through the program generates an estimated PKR 2.34 in real income. BISP supports approximately 1.66 million full-time equivalent jobs, primarily in rural areas, while the economic activity generated contributes an estimated PKR 174 billion annually to the national exchequer.
The briefing also covered the Benazir Hunarmand Program, which has registered over 50,000 individuals for market-relevant skills training linked to employment and self-employment. Training areas include information technology, healthcare, hospitality, and construction, supported by development partners such as the Asian Development Bank and GIZ.
The First Lady reviewed skills training delivered through the Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Human Resource Research and Development Board, in collaboration with the Government of Sindh. Over 5,000 individuals have received training, with more than 1,200 securing employment.
Secretary BISP discussed the Social Protection Wallet initiative, noting that 9.7 million SIMs have been activated and 9.3 million beneficiaries have conducted transactions through CNIC-linked digital wallets. He emphasized biometric authentication and a two-tier verification system to enhance payment transparency and financial inclusion.
BISP’s media outreach expansion was also highlighted, with the program’s Facebook following increasing from approximately 501,000 to 1.4 million between September 2024 and October 2026, alongside growing engagement on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
The First Lady inspected a BISP Mobile Registration Van, examining its sections and facilities. She was briefed on its registration process and services designed to aid beneficiaries, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
She was informed about beneficiary recertification, support for persons with disabilities, inclusion of previously underserved groups, education incentives, and family well-being initiatives. The removal of the ever-married condition was noted as a significant step in extending support to previously excluded women.
Senator Rubina Khalid recalled President Asif Ali Zardari’s vision in establishing BISP and promoting women’s inclusion in the national identity system. In 2008, President Zardari mandated that women seeking to become BISP beneficiaries should have Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs), which facilitated the inclusion of millions of previously undocumented women into the national identity system, enhancing their access to social protection and public services.
She also emphasized the expansion of digital payments as a crucial step toward financial inclusion and underscored the role of skills development in creating sustainable livelihoods and pathways to economic independence for beneficiary families.
During her visit, the First Lady engaged with BISP beneficiaries, listening to their experiences. She reiterated the need for strengthening awareness, transparency, and accountability to ensure effective delivery of assistance to deserving families.
The meeting was attended by MNA Shazia Marri, Senator Sardar Al Haj Muhammad Umer Gorgaij, Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, and other senior officials.