ISLAMABAD, Jun 09 (APP):Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Syed Imran Ahmad Shah on Tuesday said social protection had become a central pillar of Pakistan’s economic policy, as new evidence showed that every rupee invested through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) generated about Rs 2.34 in real income, contributing significantly to economic growth, employment generation and economic resilience. He was speaking at a high-level policy dialogue titled …
BISP social protection programs generate Rs2.34 in income for every rupee invested: minister
ISLAMABAD, Jun 09 (APP):Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Syed Imran Ahmad Shah on Tuesday said social protection had become a central pillar of Pakistan’s economic policy, as new evidence showed that every rupee invested through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) generated about Rs 2.34 in real income, contributing significantly to economic growth, employment generation and economic resilience.
He was speaking at a high-level policy dialogue titled “Building Economic Resilience Through Social Protection: From Household Protection to Macroeconomic Resilience,” jointly organized here by BISP and the World Bank with support from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
The event brought together federal and provincial leadership, development partners, representatives of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and leading researchers to examine the evolving role of social protection in strengthening Pakistan’s economy.
The minister said the government, in line with the vision of the Prime Minister, was expanding social protection programs through skill development initiatives to create greater employment opportunities.
He said the evidence presented at the dialogue further strengthened the importance of social protection and demonstrated its positive impact on the national economy.
Syed Imran Ahmad Shah stressed that aligning economic reforms with social protection measures was essential for sustainable national development.
He appreciated the support of the World Bank and FCDO in assisting vulnerable communities and commended BISP Chairperson Senator Rubina Khalid and her team for their efforts in serving millions of deserving families.
He emphasized the need to further strengthen collaborative efforts to expand opportunities for poor and vulnerable segments of society.
According to findings presented during the dialogue, BISP-led social safety nets currently reach more than 10.2 million households, covering nearly 24 per cent of families across the country, while generating substantial economic activity and employment.
The LEWIE–CGE-based analysis showed that each rupee transferred through BISP generates an estimated Rs2.34 in real income, resulting in around Rs1.67 trillion in annual income and Rs1.21 trillion in additional production.
The program also supports approximately 1.66 million full-time-equivalent jobs. Furthermore, 68 per cent of the income gained benefit the poorest 40 per cent of households, while nearly 24 per cent of programme costs are offset through tax revenues estimated at Rs174 billion annually.
Addressing the participants, Chairperson BISP Senator Rubina Khalid said BISP had become the backbone of Pakistan’s social protection system, extending beyond financial assistance to promote human development and economic empowerment.
She said the program reflected the vision of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and continued to serve as a model of women’s empowerment and social inclusion.
Senator Rubina Khalid noted that social protection provided families with the confidence to plan for a better future while contributing to education, employment and human capital development.
She highlighted that BISP was actively promoting education, maternal and child health, and skills development initiatives, including the Benazir Hunarmand Programme, which she described as a key step towards self-reliance.
The chairperson said BISP possessed a strong institutional framework, reliable data systems and effective partnerships, but stressed the need to make the system more comprehensive, efficient and responsive to emerging challenges.
She underscored that poverty reduction required sustained political commitment and adequate resources, adding that social protection was not charity but an investment in economic growth, employment generation and human development.
