Islamabad:
The Senate’s Standing Committee on Poverty Fighting and Social Security has recommended to expand the capacity of Benazir Income Support Program (Bisp) and Pakistan Baitul Mål, which emphasizes the need for increased resources and institutional support to strengthen both initiatives.
The committee, which met in Islamabad to review the performance, led by Senator Sardar Al Haj Muhammad Umer, projects and finances of Bisp and Baitul Maal, participated in the senators Dost Ali Jesar and Rubina Qaim Khani, while Senator Rubina Khalid, Chairman Bisp, also participated.
Briefing of the Committee on Deputies Working in Bisp, Senator Rubina Khalid said that 11 officers in class-19 and above, mostly from the education department, served on Deputation.
She clarified that no officers from the health department in the same grades were sent to Bisp.
She expressed reservations and noted that such practice created inevitable gaps in overall departments and weakened institutional memory when deputationists returned.
She added that although Bisp intends to recruit new employees to improve functionality, restrictions from the finance department have due to financial restrictions delayed fresh appointments.
The committee unanimously recommended to convene the Minister of Finance for the next meeting to consider securing sufficient funds for new recruits in Bisp.
In questions regarding the registration process, the BISP chairman clarified that the eligibility was determined strictly through poverty parameters, which did not leave room for recommendations or interference.
She emphasized that Bisp was internationally recognized as one of the most transparent social security programs, with several countries sought Pakistan’s expertise to repeat the model.
The committee’s chairman praised BISP’s efforts and emphasized its extension to all corners of Pakistan. He confirmed that Bisp was not linked to any political party but was a national program.
The committee was also informed of the Benazir Nashonuma program (GDP), which ran in collaboration with the World Food Program (WFP), which provides nutritious food, healthcare and quarterly control for children, leading to a reported 6.4% reduction in food button.
