Islamabad: In a pivotal session held at the Parliament House, the Senate Standing Committee on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, led by Senator Sardar Al Haj Muhammad Umer Gorgaij, underscored the urgent need to address delays in recruitment for the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). The meeting, which convened to evaluate the performance and financial health of BISP and Pakistan Bait-ul-Maal, was marked by calls for immediate intervention from the Finance Ministry.

The committee, attended by prominent Senators including Dost Ali Jeesar and Rubina Qaim Khani, alongside Senator Rubina Khalid, the Chairperson of BISP, focused on the implications of having deputationists in key roles within BISP. Khalid highlighted the presence of 11 officers from the Education Department serving on deputation, raising concerns about the potential disruptions to their parent institutions.

A major point of contention was the recruitment freeze imposed due to financial constraints. The committee collectively recommended that the Finance Minister be summoned to discuss potential solutions for funding new hires, which are deemed essential for enhancing BISP’s operational capacity.

In response to inquiries about BISP’s registration standards, Khalid reaffirmed the programme’s commitment to transparency, noting its global recognition as a model for social safety nets. She stressed that eligibility is based on established poverty criteria, free from external influence.

The session also shed light on ongoing projects like the Benazir Nashonuma Programme, which collaborates with the World Food Programme to provide nutrition and healthcare, reportedly reducing food insecurity by 6.4%. Moreover, the Benazir Hunarmand Programme was introduced, offering vocational training for BISP beneficiaries, thereby empowering youth with skills.

Discussions also addressed issues within Pakistan Bait-ul-Maal, particularly concerning advance payments for undelivered products. An ongoing investigation was acknowledged, with assurances of a detailed report within a month. The committee urged expedited processes and recommended comprehensive support from the Finance Ministry to bolster the human resource capabilities of both BISP and Pakistan Bait-ul-Maal.