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FAISALABAD, Oct 11 (APP):Chairperson Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) Senator Ms. Rubina Khalid said that the number of BISP beneficiaries would jump to 10 million from existing 9.3 million by the end of this year as the Prime Minister had provided more funding for it.
Talking to the media and addressing the business community in Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI), she said that the programme provides partial relief to the poorest of the poor families to bridge difference between their income and expenditures.
She said that she was contemplating to promote a skilled development program under BISP to gradually drag out registered families from abysmal poverty.
She said that earlier “Waseela-e-Rozgar Scheme” was launched but it was abundant in its nestling stage. “We are again considering to restart it by equipping the children of registered families particularly girls to get market-driven skills with the support of BISP”, she said and added that the ultimate objective of her visit to FCCI was to identify the areas where these children could be absorbed instantly.
She said that this skilled human resource could also start their own businesses or could be exported abroad to earn precious foreign exchange for the country.
She said that currently many institutions are providing skill training but it is not targeted. We would provide targeted training so that these children could get respectable jobs without any hassle, she added.
Responding to a question, she said that currently two banks are authorized to disburse financial assistance which was causing problems for the large numbers of beneficiaries.
She said that BISP was contemplating to authorize 6 banks for this purpose in addition to transferring approved stipend in the bank accounts of the beneficiaries without any human intervention.
She further said that new applications are also being entertained but they have to provide their CNIC, “B” Form and Electricity Bill, etc.
She said that in order to ensure transparency, the system is being digitized in addition to linking it with NADRA and FBR. “Soon it would be hooked up with the Excise Department”, she said and added that it would eliminate all chances to misguide the system.
She said that aged unmarried women were excluded from the BISP but she was again trying to provide them social cover under this system.
She said that women have excelled in almost all segments of life and now they are not restricted to petty jobs of stitching and sewing only.
She quoted her meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari who had directed her to ensure full payment to the registered beneficiaries without hurting their ego.
Earlier, President FCCI Mr. Rehan Naseem Bharara welcomed Senator Rubina Khalid and introduced Faisalabad and FCCI. He said that the local business community was fully taking part in philanthropic endeavors only to earn the blessings of Allah Almighty.
He said that BISP was launched in 2008 but apparently there was no sign of improvement in poverty alleviation. He said that BISP should focus on equipping the children of registered families with market-driven jobs with a focus on IT & AI.
He also demanded unemployment allowance for the daily wagers rendered jobless due to the closure of the industrial sector.
Vice President FCCI Shahid Mumtaz Bajwa offered a 5% rebate on purchase of basic commodities for the BISP cardholders from specific and designated super stores of Faisalabad.
He also offered to arrange transport facilities for the girls belonging to the poor families. A strategy and TORs in this respect could be finalized in consultation with the local officials of the BISP, he added.
Hajji Muhammad Aslam Bhalli, Chaudhary Talat Mahmood, Dr Habib Aslam Gaba, Madam Nighat Shahid, Najma Afzal, Ayub Aslam Manj, Kashif Zia and Ghulam Hussain participated in the question-answer session.
Later, Senior Vice President FCCI Qaisar Shams Gucha offered vote of thanks while President Rehan Naseem Bharara presented FCCI shield to Senator Rubina Khalid Chairperson BISP.
She also recorded her impressions in the FCCI Visitor’s Book.
Director BISP Madam Qurat-ul-Ain, Director Ali Raza, Assistant Director BISP Mr. Muhammad Ahsan, Deputy Director to Chairperson Mehran Atta, Mr Asmat Wazir, Ms. Fehmida and Ms. Ashber were also present during this meeting.