BISP’s Role in Uplifting 60 Million Citizens
BISP’s Role in Uplifting 60 Million Citizens: As Pakistan faces the worst floods in its history, millions of people are struggling for survival. Homes, livelihoods, and entire communities have been washed away. In such difficult times, the country needs unity, compassion, and effective support systems, not political blame games.
In a recent press conference, Chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme, Senator Rubina Khalid, strongly defended the programme against baseless political criticism. She called for an end to point-scoring and emphasised the urgent need to stand united in the face of this national disaster.
BISP Is a Lifeline for Millions – Not a Political Tool
Senator Rubina Khalid condemned recent remarks calling BISP a “fraud”, saying such statements are an insult to the 10 million poor families who rely on the programme for survival.
She reminded critics that BISP is a national social safety net, not a political tool. It has no political affiliation, and its only mission is to serve the poor and vulnerable. She demanded an apology from those spreading misinformation and urged everyone to focus on helping the flood victims instead of creating division.
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A Proven Record of Disaster Relief
The Chairperson highlighted BISP’s remarkable role during previous national crises:
- During the 2022 floods, BISP disbursed Rs. 70 billion in emergency cash assistance, giving Rs. 25,000 each to 2.8 million families affected by the disaster.
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, BISP’s vast and reliable database was used to distribute emergency funds to vulnerable households across the country.
- Earlier this year, the Ramadan Relief Package worth Rs. 20 billion was delivered to 4 million families, once again proving BISP’s ability to respond quickly and transparently.
Why BISP Should Handle All Flood Relief
Senator Rubina Khalid emphasised that Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has rightly suggested that all flood relief efforts should be channelled through BISP.
She explained that BISP is the most credible, transparent, and immediate mechanism for reaching affected families. Its existing infrastructure, digital systems, and beneficiary database make it the best choice for delivering urgent aid.
“We are now waiting for formal instructions from the Prime Minister to proceed,” she added.
Serving Over 10 Million Families with Transparency
BISP is currently supporting more than 10 million families across Pakistan. It operates under strict guidelines and is regularly audited to ensure transparency.
Senator Rubina Khalid pointed out that international organisations monitor the programme, and many countries have even sent delegations to learn from BISP’s model. This shows the programme’s growing global reputation for effective social protection.
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Empowering Families Through Education, Health, and Skills
BISP is not only about cash support. It is changing lives through several key initiatives:
Benazir Taleemi Wazaif
- Encourages poor families to keep their children in school.
- Over 400 students supported by the programme received A+ grades, with four securing top positions.
Benazir Nashonuma Programme
- Focuses on improving child health and reducing malnutrition.
- Aims to tackle stunting, a major issue affecting children in low-income households.
BISP Hunarmand Programme
- Offers skills training to young people so they can earn a livelihood and become financially independent.
Digital Transformation for Better Service Delivery
To further improve transparency and efficiency, the government is digitising BISP’s entire payment system. This step, being taken under the guidance of the President and Prime Minister, will ensure that funds reach the right people quickly and without any hurdles.
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