ISLAMABAD ( WNAM REPORT ): Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Syed Imran Ahmed Shah, visited both the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Zonal Office and the Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM) Regional Office in Peshawar, as part of his nationwide review of welfare programmes under the Ministry’s mandate.
At BISP, the Minister was briefed by DG KP Haider Murtaza on the outreach and impact of various BISP interventions. Highlights included:
* Over 1.47 million beneficiaries recertified under the dynamic NSER registration process
* Addition of 1,736 new beneficiaries
* 140 Dynamic Registration Centers operational across KP with 466 staff members from NADRA, NCHD, and ASPCs
He also reviewed the Benazir Nashonuma Programme, which has supported more than 600,000 women and children through 148 centers since 2020, and assessed the progress of Benazir Kafalat, supporting nearly 2 million beneficiaries in KP—particularly in Malakand and Peshawar Divisions.
As part of his visit to the BISP office, the Minister also planted a sapling under the Benazir Green Pakistan Initiative, symbolizing the government’s long-term commitment to environmental sustainability and inclusive development.
At the PBM office, the Minister received a briefing from Director Lal Badshah, who informed him that:
* 30 vocational training centers across KP are equipping underprivileged women with skills in embroidery, IT, and other trades
* Eight PBM-run orphanages are providing shelter, safety, and education to 800 children up to matric level, with CCTV surveillance installed for real-time monitoring
* PBM is also offering educational scholarships for child laborers and financial aid for persons with disabilities and widows
The Minister praised the impactful work of PBM in education, healthcare, and disability inclusion. He emphasized that financial aid must be paired with skill-building and economic empowerment, citing the Hunarmand Pakistan Programme as a key driver of youth resilience and national economic growth.
Highlighting the need for strong institutional coordination between BISP and PBM, he stressed the importance of data-sharing, transparency, and merit-based delivery to eliminate duplication and ensure aid reaches the most deserving.
Addressing staff at both organizations, the Minister reaffirmed:
“We are committed to inclusive, non-discriminatory welfare. No Pakistani will be left behind due to poverty, caste, creed, or political affiliation. Every household below the poverty line is our responsibility.”
He directed that corruption in welfare funds would not be tolerated, and assured that administrative challenges—such as vacant posts, internet connectivity, and transport shortages—would be resolved on a priority basis.
He also announced that Balochistan would be the next focus in his ongoing national welfare review, with new initiatives planned for housing, livelihood, and technical training.
“Poverty alleviation is not a slogan—it is a national mission. We aim not just for relief, but for resilience,” said Minister Syed Imran Ahmed Shah.
