Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Senator Rubina Khalid Wednesday termed the Benazir Hunarmand Programme (BHP) a landmark initiative to economically empower BISP beneficiaries through skill training and employment.
She said the programme, launched by President Asif Ali Zardari on June 21 to mark the birth anniversary of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, reflects the vision of inclusive and sustainable development.
She made these remarks while chairing a key meeting with the World Bank team at BISP Headquarters to explore enhanced collaboration on data sharing with provincial social protection institutions, aimed at improving service delivery for vulnerable populations across the country.
Ms. Melis Guven, Lead Economist and Global Lead for Social Protection Delivery Systems at the World Bank, joined the meeting virtually, while senior World Bank officials Dr. Amjad Zafar Khan and Mr. Gul Najam Jamy participated in person.
During the meeting, Rubina Khalid emphasized the importance of addressing the risks and challenges associated with data sharing, particularly those related to privacy, data protection, and the implementation of strong security protocols.
She reiterated that BISP’s National Socio-Economic Registry (NSER), like NADRA, must remain a centralized and secure database to maintain authenticity and ensure the protection of beneficiary information.
The meeting concluded with a proposal to organize a national-level workshop in Islamabad on the subject of data sharing to raise awareness among all stakeholders about the sensitivity and significance of secure data practices.
It was also proposed that representatives from planning and development departments, social sector programs, and senior officials from across the provinces be taken on board, and a series of workshops be conducted to build consensus and strengthen secure, efficient data-sharing mechanisms within Pakistan’s social protection framework.
Earlier, Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Senator Rubina Khalid Tuesday said that President Asif Ali Zardari has turned the dream of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto into reality through the launch of the Benazir Hunarmand Program—a milestone that stands as a proud achievement for BISP.
Addressing in a cake-cutting ceremony organized by BISP employees at the BISP Headquarters to mark the 72nd birthday of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, Senator Rubina Khalid paid rich tributes to the iconic leader, calling her vision and courage a guiding force for the institution.
“Through BISP, we have worked to make the lives of deserving individuals easier. Now, with the Benazir Hunarmand Program, we aim to improve their quality of life and empower them to become self-reliant,” she said.
“If we fulfill this noble mission with sincerity, the gates of heaven will open for us”, she said.
She emphasized the need to instill confidence among the most deserving women of society, ensuring they are not subjected to fear or exploitation.
“We must work together to counter negative perceptions, address complaints effectively, and build an environment where no injustice is tolerated,” she asserted.
Calling the BISP team a united family with a shared purpose, she said every initiative—especially the newly launched Hunarmand Program—must be transformed into a success story.
