‘Skill development key to poverty alleviation’

Chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Senator Rubina Khalid, emphasised the critical role of skill development in lifting the programme’s beneficiaries out of poverty. She spoke during a meeting with Bill Gates, Co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, on Wednesday.

The discussion focused on key initiatives aimed at alleviating poverty through skill development and the economic empowerment of women.

“Economic empowerment is a prerequisite for the overall empowerment of women. Financial independence is the key to their freedom and success. Taking beneficiaries out of poverty is our top priority, and BISP is committed to various projects to achieve this goal,” Khalid stated.

One of the major advancements discussed was the introduction of a digital system to enhance transparency in the disbursement of quarterly stipends. This system aims to ensure that beneficiaries receive their payments promptly and securely, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the programme.

Bill Gates commended the initiatives and performance of the BISP, calling it an excellent welfare programme for those in need. He expressed his full support for the programme, acknowledging the significant progress made in combating malnutrition and increasing food security for vulnerable populations.

“I appreciate the remarkable strides made by the BISP in addressing key issues such as malnutrition and food security,” Gates stated.

The BISP chairperson extended her gratitude to Gates for his continued support of Benazir Income Support Programme projects. “We are deeply thankful for the support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which bolsters our efforts to empower the most deserving segments of our society,” she said.