Senate body urges expansion of BISP, Baitul Maal capacity

ISLAMABAD:

The Senate Standing Committee on Poverty Alleviation & Social Safety has recommended expanding the capacity of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and Pakistan Baitul Maal, stressing the need for increased resources and institutional support to strengthen both initiatives.

The committee, which met in Islamabad to review the performance, chaired by Senator Sardar Al Haj Muhammad Umer, projects and finances of BISP and Baitul Maal, was attended by Senators Dost Ali Jeesar and Rubina Qaim Khani, while Senator Rubina Khalid, Chairperson BISP, also participated.

Briefing the committee on deputationists working in BISP, Senator Rubina Khalid said that 11 officers of Grade-19 and above, mostly from the Education Department, were serving on deputation.

She clarified that no officers from the Health Department of the same grades were posted in BISP.

Expressing reservations, she noted that such practices created unavoidable gaps in parent departments and weakened institutional memory when deputationists returned.

She added that while BISP intends to recruit new employees to improve functionality, restrictions from the Finance Division due to financial constraints have delayed fresh appointments.

The committee unanimously recommended summoning the finance minister to the next meeting to deliberate on ensuring sufficient funds for new recruitments in BISP.

On questions regarding the registration process, the BISP chairperson clarified that eligibility was determined strictly through poverty parameters, leaving no room for recommendations or interference.

She emphasised that BISP was internationally recognised as one of the most transparent social safety programmes, with several countries seeking Pakistan's expertise to replicate the model.

The committee chairman praised BISP's efforts and stressed its expansion to all corners of Pakistan. He affirmed that BISP was not linked to any political party but was a national programme.

The committee was also briefed on the Benazir Nashonuma Programme (BNP), run in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP), which provides nutritious food, healthcare, and quarterly check-ups for children, leading to a reported 6.4% reduction in food scarcity.