ISLAMABAD, Dec 10 (APP):The National Assembly was informed on Wednesday that approximately 3.9 million beneficiaries have been enrolled in the ‘Nashonuma Program’over the past five years to address the issue of stunting. Responding to questions during the question hour, Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Syed Imran Ahmad Shah said the enrolled beneficiaries include two million children and 1.8 million pregnant women. Citing an impact evaluation conducted by Agha …
3.9 mln beneficiaries enrolled in ‘Nashonuma Program’ over five years, NA told
ISLAMABAD, Dec 10 (APP):The National Assembly was informed on Wednesday that approximately 3.9 million beneficiaries have been enrolled in the ‘Nashonuma Program’over the past five years to address the issue of stunting.
Responding to questions during the question hour, Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Syed Imran Ahmad Shah said the enrolled beneficiaries include two million children and 1.8 million pregnant women.
Citing an impact evaluation conducted by Agha Khan University, the minister said the programme has had a significant effect on reducing stunting. According to midline study results, stunting among children under two years of age has decreased by 6.4%, while stunting within the 6-month age group has declined by an “enormous” 20%. He added that low birth weight has reduced by 5.6%, while early initiation of breastfeeding has increased by 11.6%.
Imran Ahmad Shah informed the House that the programme—initially piloted in 15 districts—has now expanded nationwide. At present, it is operational in 157 districts through 542 facilitation centres. He clarified that there is no plan for further expansion of Nashonuma at the moment.
The minister said over 10 million digital wallets have already been created under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), with SIM distribution underway. He assured that by March 2026, beneficiaries will no longer have to stand in long queues or face deductions and complaints, as payments will be fully digitised.
He highlighted that BISP budget has significantly increased from around Rs 500 billion to Rs 716 billion under Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s government. He said the Prime Minister is committed to bringing transparency and improving governance across all institutions, especially BISP.
He added that the launch of the digital wallet system will eliminate previous complaints regarding deductions, long queues, or intermediaries. “Those days are now a thing of the past,” he said, expressing confidence that the new system will ensure beneficiaries receive their full payments without inconvenience.
Imran Ahmad Shah said the government is determined to ensure that no corruption will be tolerated and that reforms will make the country’s flagship social welfare programme more efficient and transparent in the coming days.
