QUETTA, Pakistan: Poverty is biggest of all inequalities and Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) needs to do more for Balochistan.
This was stated by Governor Balochistan Muhammad Khan Achakzai while speaking at plenary conference during which Minister of State and Chairperson BISP MNA Marvi Memon presented BISP Progress Report 2014-16 to Governor Balochistan.
The conference was attended by provincial legislators, local government heads, Secretaries of various departments, representatives of NGOs, civil society, journalists and BISP beneficiaries.
Governor Balochistan while lauding the efforts of BISP in enrolling children to schools said that BISP is defining the future of Pakistan by educating its future generations. He added that BISP is instrument for development as it supports the Sustainable Development Goals of poverty reduction, zero hunger, quality education and gender equality.
On the occasion, Chairperson BISP stated that the comprehensive policies of the government have resulted in improved situation in Baluchistan.
Farsighted wisdom of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif brought all political stakeholders on board and today Baluchistan is en route towards development and prosperity, she said.
Chairperson BISP presented an overview of achievements made by BISP in last two years. She stated that 240428 households of Balochistan receive BISP stipend on quarterly basis. Waseela-e-Taleem (WeT) initiative is going successfully in Loralai, Musa Khel, Nauski, Jal Magsi, Gwadar and Awaran that has registered 26,405 children in schools. Pilot phase of new poverty survey to update National Socio-Economic Registry (NSER) has been started. Killa Saifullah, Kech and Nasirabad will be covered in the pilot phase that will be completed by March 2017.
She reiterated that no area would be left out in the new poverty survey.
BISP survey teams would reach each and every corner of the country. She added that BISP believes in customer care and effective service delivery. BISP has started to switch over to Biometric Verification System (BVS) to ensure transparency and efficiency in payment mechanism. BISP Board has approved New Payment Model. It would be piloted by March 2017 tranche and its national roll out will be initiated by December 2017.
Chairperson BISP paid tribute to her beneficiaries who despite financial and social constraints are fighting poverty courageously with the support of BISP. She added that BISP not only supports against poverty but believes in dignified, empowered and meaningful life for its beneficiaries.
The Governor distributed appreciation certificates among BISP beneficiaries from all across the Balochistan for their struggle against poverty. On the occasion, these beneficiaries said that besides empowering them socially and economically, BISP is means of survival for them.
Source: APP
