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ISLAMABAD, Nov 03 (APP):A high-level World Bank mission visited the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Headquarters on Monday, where discussions centered on data centralization, targeting efficiency, and enhanced collaboration in social protection systems.
Chairperson BISP Senator Rubina Khalid and Secretary BISP Amer Ali Ahmad welcomed the delegation led by Mr. Cristobal Ridao-Cano, Practice Manager for Social Policy, MENAP Region.
The mission, comprising Mr. Amjad Zafar Khan, Mr. Gul Najam Jamy, Mr. Javier Sanchez-Reaza, Ms. Amna Khan, Mr. Sohail Saeed, and Ms. Sarah Nizami, is in Pakistan to review the social policy portfolio, assess progress at federal and provincial levels, and explore avenues for future cooperation.
Senator Rubina Khalid underscored the importance of strengthening the National Socio-Economic Registry (NSER) and ensuring centralized, transparent, and authentic data management.
She stressed the need for alignment among federal and provincial stakeholders to reinforce social protection delivery mechanisms.
Secretary Amer Ali Ahmad briefed the mission on the extensive utilization of BISP’s database by government and non-government institutions. He highlighted key achievements under the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programs, particularly in improving nutrition and education outcomes.
Mr. Cristobal Ridao-Cano lauded BISP’s contributions to poverty alleviation and its expanding role in evidence-based social policy planning. He reaffirmed the World Bank’s commitment to supporting BISP’s reform agenda and deepening institutional cooperation.
The meeting also discussed secure data-sharing protocols, prevention of duplication in CCT programs, enhanced targeting systems, and greater provincial engagement. Additional Secretary BISP Dr. Asmat Nawaz and Directors General of the programme were also present.
Later, the World Bank delegation visited the BISP One-Window Center to interact with beneficiaries and review service delivery mechanisms by implementing partners, appreciating the initiative’s impact at the grassroots level.