ISLAMABAD: Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Chairperson Rubina Khalid on Sunday said the number of its beneficiaries were being increased from 9.3 million to 10 million.

The federal government has already increased budgetary allocations for BISP up to Rs593 billion, registering a 29pc increase compared to last year.

Ms Khalid said financial assistance was being provided to the beneficiaries on the basis of merit across the country. According to the chairperson, around 100,000 more children will be enrolled in Benazir Education Stipend Scheme increasing the overall stipends number up to 10.4 million.

Additionally, she said during the next fiscal year, 500,000 more families would be included in the Benazir Nashonuma Programme, which is aimed at preventing stunted growth in children during the first 1,000 days of growth.

She said the site offices of BISP were being set up in all districts, where site officers would distribute stipend to the beneficiaries under supervision of district administrations.

Ms Khalid said complaint cells had also been established and in case of any irregularities immediate action would be taken against those responsible.

According to the chairperson, expanding the network of BISP would help lessen financial constraints of the deserving population. She underlined the need for further improvement in the registration mechanism by removing the difficulties so that women from backward areas could get financial assistance easily.

Ms Khalid said BISP is in the process of introducing the poverty graduation and skill development programme. Apart from this, BISP is introducing hybrid social protection programme for financial independence of the poor segments where beneficiaries will open savings accounts and the government will match a percentage of their savings.

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2024