FAO delegation receives briefing about BISP’s initiatives

Mon, 10 Jul 2023, 5:11 PM

ISLAMABAD, Jul 10 (APP): A high-level Mission from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), led by Benjamin Davis, Director of the Inclusive Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division at FAO HQ Rome, called on Secretary Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Amer Ali Ahmed, to discuss various initiatives of the programme.

During the meeting, Secretary BISP provided an overview of the BISP and its initiatives undertaken by it.

The FAO delegation also included Mark Johnson, Social Protection Expert at FAO HQ Rome, Bhalla Economist, also from FAO HQ Rome, Garima, Economist at FAO HQ Rome, and Aamer.

The meeting is part of their 5-day visit to Pakistan aimed at identifying technical support from FAO on poverty graduation.
Secretary BISP underscored the crucial role of the Benazir Income Support Programme in providing cash support to the most vulnerable and marginalized segments of Pakistani society.

He highlighted the significance of the comprehensive dynamic database maintained by BISP, which serves as the foundation for effective programme’s implementation.

During the meeting, Secretary BISP informed the delegation that the Benazir Income Support Programme currently provides cash assistance to over 9 million families.

He highlighted that the programme identifies women as the principal beneficiaries of their families. Furthermore, he emphasized how this programme is transforming the social landscape of Pakistan.

Ahmed also shared that there are currently 488 operational Nashonuma Centers under the Benazir Nashonuma Programme.

He welcomed the suggestion of conducting post-impact analysis on shock-affected areas, as it would provide an additional filter for targeting beneficiaries, further improving the effectiveness of the programme.

Furthermore, Secretary BISP highlighted the significant role played by the programme during the floods that occurred in August last year.

Benazir Income Support Programme collaborated with provincial governments to provide targeted subsidies in the form of cash assistance and flour to affected beneficiaries.

The participants were also briefed on the dynamic registry which reflects the changing social status of beneficiaries.
Beneficiaries who exceed a certain threshold are graduated from the Unconditional Cash Transfer Program (UCT).

The delegation commended the efforts of Benazir Income Support Programme especially the role it played during natural calamities.

PSX stays bullish, gains 377 points

Muhammad Ashraf Wani

Mon, 10 Jul 2023, 5:07 PM

ISLAMABAD, Jul 10 (APP): The 100-index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed bullish trend on Monday, gaining 377.82 points, a positive change of 0.85 percent, closing at 44,585.13 points against 44,207.31 points the previous trading day.

A total of 440,221,059 shares were traded during the day as compared to 247,993,312 shares the previous day, whereas the price of shares stood at Rs.12.086 billion against Rs.8.512 billion on the last trading day.

As many as 342 companies transacted their shares in the stock market; 238 of them recorded gains and 82 sustained losses, whereas the share price of 22 companies remained unchanged.

The three top-trading companies were WorldCall Telecom with 28,194,334 shares at Rs.1.26 per share; JS Bank (R ) with |27,939,500 shares at Rs.0.22 per share and Unity Foods Ltd with 20,659,220 shares at Rs.20.18 per share.

Nestle Pakistan witnessed a maximum increase of Rs.220.00 per share price, closing at Rs.6,675.00, whereas the runner-up was Rafhan Maize with an Rs.65.00 rise in its per share price to Rs.8,355.00.

Shield Corporation witnessed a maximum decrease of Rs.24.37 per share closing at Rs.300.53; followed by Siemens Pakistan with Rs.22.80 decline to close at Rs.716.00.