ISLAMABAD: The President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Takehiko Nakao, has said the bank is not only looking to invest in a cash transfer programme but would also extend support to the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) in creating job opportunities for the beneficiaries.
While appreciating BISP’s efforts for providing financial support to people and creating job opportunities, Nakao said ADB would also lend support to BISP in developing a comprehensive graduation mechanism. He said this while visiting BISP’s Tehsil Office in Taxila on Wednesday.
BISP chairman Enver Baig informed the visitors about the recent developments in the organisation, especially about the Waseela-e-Rozgar programme, under which the government aims to turn Waseela-e-Rozgar into an effective graduation programme. “Our aim is to make people stand on their feet.”
Sharing details of the programme, Baig said BISP has signed a memorandum of understating with the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce, Daewoo Pakistan and other organisations for creating employment opportunities following their trainings in respective fields. He said that BISP needed assistance in health and technical training sectors.
Nakao was further briefed over the BISP operations at the tehsil level, including issuance of Benazir Debit Cards and complaint handling mechanisms. He also met beneficiaries of BISP to get some insight into the programme.
Recently, ADB has signed a $430 million programme with the government which will be utilised in providing cash transfer, designing and implementing graduation programmes and technical assistance to BISP beneficiaries.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 18th, 2014.
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