BISP to offer women skills training

LAHORE:

Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Chairperson Rubina Khalid has announced plans to expand the initiative’s scope in the near future.

The planned expansion includes a Wasila Rozgar programme that aims to equip women with skills to enhance their employability.

Speaking to the media in Lahore, the chairperson revealed that the BISP is currently benefiting 9.5 million families. She also highlighted that the programme was conceptualised by the late Benazir Bhutto during her exile and she had created its features.

“The previous government had attempted to rename the programme,” she added.

Rubina Khalid emphasised that the BISP funds can be withdrawn through biometric verification. “Our system adheres to full transparency and we vow to distribute payments with integrity.”

She said, “Our data undergoes an update on a biennial basis to ensure that those who have surpassed the poverty line exit this programme accordingly.”

The BISP chairperson added that the programme’s official message centre was was 8171 and no other number was associated with it.

Regarding the issue of complaints about charging commission from the women, she stated that there was a payment arrangement with one bank. “However, in response to grievances raised against these policies, plans are under way to reach agreements with six additional banks,” she added.