STAFF REPORT
ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Faisal Karim Kundi on Monday directed the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) to expand its operations to benefit maximum beneficiaries.
He was speaking during a briefing held here at BISP Headquarters. Federal Secretary BISP, Yusuf Khan gave a detailed briefing to the SAPM. On the occasion, the Additional Secretary and all Director Generals were also present who replied to the queries of SAPM.
Yusuf Khan briefed the SAPM on all the components of BISP including Benazir Kafalat, Benazir Taleemi Wazaif, Benazir Nashonuma, Benazir Undergraduate Program etc.
The SAPM was informed that under BISP’s regular funding, 8.1 Million families of the country were 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 flood affected areas of Pakistan, and so far 97.3 percent of disbursement has been done” the federal secretary BISP added.
He further informed 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 continue.
He added that under Benazir Undergraduate Program, 92,000 students of poor families having enrolment in approved public sector educational institutions were being funded with tuition fees and in addition Rs 40,000/ annually for their expenditures. In the last two years, Rs 20.62 Billions have been disbursed in this connection.
The SAPM 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, 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.
