Islamabad: The Standing Committee on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety held its sixth meeting on Saturday, focusing on enhancing social protection systems throughout Pakistan. Chaired by Mir Ghulam Ali Talpur, the committee reviewed ongoing initiatives, particularly micro-insurance schemes for agriculture and livestock, and addressed concerns about the management and transparency of social safety programs.
According to National Assembly of Pakistan, the CEO of the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) provided an overview of initiatives aimed at supporting small and medium enterprises, particularly in Balochistan and Sindh. These programs are designed to transition 34% of beneficiaries of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) off social safety nets. The CEO noted that similar approaches have been adopted by the UNHCR for Afghan refugee support and emphasized PPAF’s achievements, including skill development for 1.1 million individuals and reconstruction efforts following the 2008 earthquake. In response to committee inquiries, the CEO agreed to furnish district-specific project details, including funding sources and collaborating NGOs. The committee voiced dissatisfaction with the briefing materials provided and requested comprehensive reports, including project locations and donor information, for the next meeting.
The committee also raised concerns about the lack of government audits for PPAF since 2020. Despite assertions from the CEO that PPAF no longer uses public funds, the Secretary of the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation pointed out that as a Section 42 company, PPAF is still subject to audits under SECP regulations. The ministry is coordinating with the Ministries of Finance and Law & Justice to address this issue, and the committee directed PPAF to comply with audit requirements.
BISP Chairperson Ms. Rubina Khalid updated the committee on efforts to streamline payments using the RAAST system, with a pilot project set to conclude by March 2025. The committee also addressed the need to fill Gazetted positions within BISP, which have been vacant since 2011, and plans to make a formal recommendation to the Prime Minister’s Office.
In discussions about financial challenges faced by university students, the committee learned that scholarships through the Higher Education Commission were discontinued due to concerns over the selection process. The committee urged BISP to develop a mechanism to support deserving students from BISP-listed families, with a proposal expected at the next meeting.
Lastly, the committee requested a briefing from the Ministry on the Public Sector Development Program at the upcoming meeting, underlining its commitment to enhancing poverty alleviation and social safety measures nationwide. Attendees included several Members of the National Assembly, senior ministry officers, and representatives from BISP and PPAF.