WNAM REPORT: BISP embodies the vision of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, with its hallmark being the inclusion of women in the national database through ID cards, thereby ensuring their empowerment and mobility. Quoting BB Shaheed, “Skill is your asset”; BISP strives to make the lives of beneficiary families easier through skill development, as stated by Chairperson BISP, Senator Rubina Khalid.
A high-level 17-member delegation from the Federal Republic of Somalia, led by Yussuf Hassan Isaak, Director General, Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Somalia, visited BISP for a 5-day study tour, supported by the World Bank. The delegation aimed to facilitate knowledge exchange and learning from BISP’s globally recognized social protection model and National Socio-Economic Registry (NSER).
Chairperson BISP Senator Rubina Khalid and Additional Secretary Dr. Tahir Noor warmly welcomed the delegation. Senator Rubina Khalid highlighted that BISP is the realization of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s vision, emphasizing that “the beauty of BISP lies in the inclusion of women in the national database through CNICs, which ensures their empowerment and mobility.” She shed light on BISP’s major initiatives, including Benazir Nashonuma, Benazir Taleemi Wazaif, and the newly launched Benazir Hunarmand Programme, aimed at skill development for beneficiary families. Quoting Shaheed BB, she reiterated, “Skill is your asset,” and reaffirmed BISP’s commitment to making lives easier for vulnerable families through economic and social empowerment.
Earlier, Additional Secretary Dr. Tahir Noor provided a comprehensive briefing on BISP’s 16-year journey, focusing on its strategic design, dynamic targeting mechanisms, digital transformation, innovative use of technology, and implementation of social protection programs at scale. The Somali delegation shared insights into Somalia’s social protection landscape, particularly the Baxnaano Programme and the Unified Social Registry 2023, aligned with the Somalia Social Protection Policy. The interaction facilitated valuable bilateral learning.
Yussuf Hassan Isaak, DG Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Somalia, expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality extended by BISP and showed keen interest in adopting BISP’s proven practices and systems in Somalia’s context. The visit underscored mutual commitment to building stronger social protection systems through collaboration, shared experiences, and sustained partnerships.
