Policies and welfare programs often begin with the best of intentions. They are meant to ease people’s hardships, uplift communities and open doors to a better life. The Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) is one such initiative. Launched in 2008, it provides financial assistance to millions of low income families across Pakistan, with the aim of helping them meet their basic needs. For many households, these funds have been a lifeline.
However, even the most well-meaning policies can face unexpected challenges if they do not consider human behaviour. History gives us a striking example through the Cobra Effect. It is believed that during British rule, officials in Delhi offered rewards for every dead cobra to reduce their numbers. At first, the plan seemed to work. But soon, some locals began breeding cobras just to claim the reward. When the scheme ended, the breeders released their snakes, and the population grew even more. The lesson is simple: policies shape not just outcomes but also people’s responses to incentives.
Similarly, while BISP has helped countless families, there have been instances where the support has not produced the long-term impact it was meant to. In some cases, people have found ways to stay eligible without genuinely improving their situation. Others have spent the money on things that do not really help lift their families out of poverty. These challenges do not make the program bad, they simply show that good intentions need thoughtful planning and constant improvement.
One practical way to make BISP more effective is to combine financial aid with skill development, especially for women. Instead of only handing out cash, women beneficiaries can be enrolled in vocational training centers where they can learn to produce handicrafts or other marketable skills. Once they acquire these skills, the financial support can be linked to their participation and progress. This approach would not only empower women economically but also help families become self reliant over time.
When people are given both support and opportunities, they respond with dignity and determination. By refining the structure of BISP in this way, ensuring transparency, monitoring usage of funds, and focusing on capacity building, the program can move beyond temporary relief and become a tool for lasting change.
By anticipating these behaviours and designing smart, human centred strategies, initiatives like BISP can truly transform lives rather than create unintended problems.
Sajjad Hussain Cheehani
Agra, Sindh
