BISP-KCCI Join Hands to Empower Youth through Skill Development

KARACHI ( WNAM REPORT ):  In a significant step toward socioeconomic inclusion, Dr. Muhammad Tahir Noor, Additional Secretary, Benazir Income Support (BISP) headquarters Islamabad, held a meeting with Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) at the KCCI Secretariat, today to explore the ways to work together for the skill development for beneficiaries of BISP and their children. The KCCI team was led by its president Mr. Muhammad Javed Bilwani & Faisal Khalil Ahmed vice president , Former President Junaid Esmail Makda and others
The meeting centered on the transformative potential of the Benazir Hunarmand Programme (BHP) , a landmark initiative aimed at providing cutting-edge vocational training to BISP beneficiaries and their families. On this occasion, the KCCI leadership elaborated the need of skilled manpower for the industry and their efforts to mitigate these needs.
Dr. Tahir Noor briefed the KCCI on BISP’s broader initiatives under the Government of Pakistan, under which around 10 million households are currently receiving financial support under the Kafaalat initiative. He informed them that around 8.2 million school-going children of these households are also getting educational stipends and 1.22 million pregnant and lactating women and their newborns are getting benefit from the Benazir Nashonuma program in shape of nutritious food and cash transfer with an aim to address stunting etc.
BISP and KCCI explored avenues of collaboration under BHP to deliver demand-driven vocational training, on-the-job learning, and hands-on experience, aligning with labor market needs. The objective is to help BISP beneficiaries graduate from poverty by equipping them with income-generating skills.
The initiative will also ensure certification of skills recognized nationally and internationally. This historic effort marks the first comprehensive skill-building programme under the BISP umbrella.
To honor Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto—a beacon of empowerment—the pilot phase of Benazir Hunarmand Programme was launched on June 21, 2025, by President Asif Ali Zardari.
Additional Secretary further added that BISP is no longer just about financial assistance with the Benazir Hunarmand Programme, we are enabling people to stand on their feet, build skills, and step out of the poverty cycle with dignity.
Through the integration of skills training, financial literacy, and interest-free loans, BHP offers a holistic approach to uplift underserved communities and help youth discover new pathways to economic independence like entrepreneurship, skilled employment, or overseas opportunities.
Earlier, President KCCI Muhammad Jawed Bilwani welcomed the delegation and expressed strong support for the proposed collaboration. He underscored the need for strict oversight to ensure that BISP funds are used efficiently and reach only the most deserving. Referring to the Benazir Hunarmand Program, he praised the idea of transitioning from welfare to empowerment, stating, “We fully support this initiative because it aims to break the cycle of poverty. Giving skills instead of permanent aid is the right way forward.”He assured KCCI’s full cooperation in sharing industry trends, recommending reliable training partners, and assisting with the scaling-up of the pilot program beyond its initial phase.