Chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Senator Rubina Khalid Thursday that the Benazir Hunarmand Programme was a major poverty graduation initiative aimed at equipping beneficiaries with market-relevant skills to help them become financially independent and improve their quality of life.
BISP, ILO agree to strengthen collaboration on skills development for beneficiaries
ISLAMABAD, Jul 02 (APP):Chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Senator Rubina Khalid Thursday that the Benazir Hunarmand Programme was a major poverty graduation initiative aimed at equipping beneficiaries with market-relevant skills to help them become financially independent and improve their quality of life.
She expressed these views during a meeting with International Labour Organization (ILO) Pakistan Country Director, Geir Thomas Tonstol, at BISP Headquarters to discuss avenues for mutual collaboration under the Benazir Hunarmand Programme.
The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation in the areas of skills development, employment generation, capacity building and institutional linkages to improve livelihood opportunities for BISP beneficiaries through market-driven and demand-led interventions.
Senator Rubina Khalid highlighted BISP’s ongoing reforms, including the introduction of the Digital Wallet payment system to promote greater financial inclusion, transparency and convenience for beneficiaries.
She said that according to a World Bank study, BISP had evolved beyond a social safety net and was making a significant contribution to the country’s local economy through its multiplier effects.
The chairperson emphasized the importance of collaboration with the ILO in developing demand-driven skills, particularly in sectors with strong employment potential, including women-led crafts and handicrafts, hotel management, tourism and other emerging industries.
Mr Tonstol appreciated BISP’s transformative role in strengthening Pakistan’s social protection system and expressed the ILO’s keen interest in working closely with the programme to promote skills development, decent employment and sustainable livelihoods for beneficiaries.
Both sides agreed to nominate focal persons to identify areas of mutual interest and prepare a joint work plan leading to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize long-term cooperation.
