Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Sindh Director General (DG) Zulfiqar Ali Shaikh has proposed that the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BISP under the Benazir Hunarmand Programme which would enable both institutions to collaborate in identifying demand-driven skills, recommending certified training institutes, and jointly exploring avenues to make the programme successful.
"We want to establish a robust mechanism where the business community guides us on labour market needs, so we can ensure that beneficiaries of BISP receive the right training, become employable, and ultimately self-reliant," he said this while exchanging views at a meeting during his visit to KCCI on Monday.
DG BISP Sindh emphasised that 10 million families across Pakistan including 2.7 million in Sindh were benefitting from BISP but relying solely on cash stipends is not sustainable in the long term.
"With poverty continuing to rise, our approach must evolve. This partnership with KCCI can become a turning point by linking vulnerable households with economic opportunities", he noted, adding that this would not only improve individual livelihoods but also help address skilled labour shortages in Pakistan's industrial and manufacturing sectors.
Additional Secretary BISP Dr Tahir Noor elaborated that the government has allocated Rs720 billion this year under BISP, with an Rs13,500 stipend being disbursed to women in eligible families.
However, the increasing number of households below the poverty line, now estimated at 45% of the population, requires a paradigm shift.
"This is why Chairperson Senator Rubina Khalid has championed the Benazir Hunarmand Programme, a pilot project aimed at training individuals from low-income households as per market needs. After training, they will also be equipped with starter kits so they can launch small businesses or find meaningful employment," he said.
He said BISP needs KCCI's assistance in identifying the real-time demand of Karachi's industry, endorsing training institutions whose certifications are acceptable in the job market, and ensuring that those trained under the programme can integrate into industrial units with minimal friction.
"This is not just about reducing dependency on stipends, this is about creating productive citizens who can contribute to the economy," he remarked.
KCCI President Muhammad Jawed Bilwani underscored the need for strict oversight to ensure that BISP funds are used efficiently and reach only the most deserving.
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