Islamabad, Nov 11: West African Delegation Studies BISP Initiatives and Impacts in Pakistan. A high-level delegation from West African nations visited the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) headquarters on Monday to learn about the social protection initiatives implemented under this extensive program and their effects on marginalized groups.
The Chairperson of BISP, Senator Rubina Khalid, along with Secretary BISP, Amer Ali Ahmad, welcomed the delegation. The delegation included representatives from Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal, and Niger. They are on a four-day study visit from November 11 to 14, 2024, in collaboration with the World Food Program and the World Bank, with the goal of learning from BISP’s social protection initiatives for disadvantaged communities.
In her welcoming comments, Chairperson Rubina Khalid referred to BISP as Pakistan’s leading social protection program, which was inspired by the vision of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and initiated in 2008 by then-President Asif Ali Zardari. She noted that BISP identifies 9.3 million low-income women across Pakistan using the CNIC system and that the female head of each eligible household receives financial assistance, with Form ‘B’ being mandatory for enrollment in the program.
During her briefing, Senator Rubina Khalid expressed positive expectations for the tour, emphasizing that it would be beneficial for both Pakistan and the visiting nations. She underscored the significance of exchanging experiences related to socio-economic development and stated that BISP looks forward to enhancing this relationship in the future.
Secretary BISP, Amer Ali Ahmad, pointed out that the study tour would focus on the National Socio-Economic Registry (NSER) database of eligible households and BISP’s payment mechanisms. The delegation will also tour the Benazir One Window Center and BISP field offices to gain firsthand insight into BISP operations.
Mrs. Colonel Assa Badiallo Toure, the Minister of Health and Social Development from Mali, and Mr. Amedee BAMOUNI, the Permanent Secretary of the National Council for Social Protection from Burkina Faso, expressed gratitude to Pakistan and BISP for facilitating the study tour. They conveyed a strong interest in understanding BISP’s expertise in social protection and its effects on marginalized sections of society.
