THE Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) stands as a powerful testament to Pakistan’s commitment to social justice and social protection. The very idea of social safety programme was conceived by the ex-Prime Minister of Pakistan Mohtarma Shaheed Benazir Bhutto during her time in exile, the idea aimed to provide economic relief to the country’s most vulnerable population, particularly women, who often bore the brunt of socio-economic inequities. After her unfortunate assassination, Peoples Party-led Federal Government launched BISP in 2008 and her vision was transformed into reality under the leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari. Today, BISP through quarterly cash grant supports 9.6 million households, a number set to increase to 10 million by June 2025, becoming Pakistan’s largest and most influential social protection program.
This ambitious program, designed to offer direct financial assistance to the poorest families through Benazir Kafalat programme, has been particularly transformative for women, positioning them as heads of their households in a country where women have historically been sidelined in economic, social and political decision-making. A Journey of Learning and Leading: Once a learner, BISP now stands as a leader in global social protection, setting an example for developing countries to follow. For years, BISP has looked beyond its borders to draw lessons from international models of social protection, adapting and refining its own initiatives.
Recently in October, 2024, a 21-member Ugandan delegation, led by Ms. Lucy Nakyobe Mbonye, Secretary of Public Service, paid a four-day study visit to BISP. Dr. Tahir Noor, Additional Secretary BISP attributed BISP’s success to its scientific and objective targeting, technology-based payment mechanisms, the trust of international development partners and independent third-party monitoring. Ms. Coco Ushiyama, Country Director of the World Food Program, also commended BISP’s evidence-based database and its role in providing timely assistance during natural disasters.
At the South-South Cooperation Forum held in Islamabad on November 14, 2024, Pakistan’s success story was showcased as a model for social protection systems across the globe. Representatives from West African nations, including Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Senegal, gathered in Islamabad to learn firsthand from Pakistan’s pioneering work in social welfare.
“Today, we are not just learning from others; we are teaching others,” said Secretary BISP Amer Ali Ahmad during his address at the event. The program’s emphasis on empowering women through direct cash transfers, health and nutrition programs and educational incentives has not only supported millions of under-privileged but has also set a new standard for how social welfare can contribute in generating socioeconomic activities in less developed areas as major part of BISP Rs. 598 billion budget is pumped into local economy through these quarterly cash grants to more than 9.6 million families across the country.
BISP’s Global Impact: A Beacon for Social Protection: The South-South Cooperation forum, which brought together global development partners such as the World Food Programme, World Bank, UNICEF, KfW, GIZ and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), was a recognition of the profound impact BISP has had, not just within Pakistan but across the world. The delegation from Mali, led by Mr. Redouwane Mohamed Ali, Minister of Food Security, praised Pakistan for its robust social safety net, particularly BISP’s ability to deliver aid efficiently through its innovative payment mechanisms, such as biometric verification, mobile banking, and dynamic data registry mechanism.
Similarly, Mr. Amedee Bamouni, Secretary of the National Council for Social Protection of Burkina Faso, commended BISP’s dynamic registry centres and national socio-economic database which track the financial status of beneficiaries, ensuring that aid reaches the most deserving families.
The Benazir Nashonuma Program, which provides cash incentives linked to health and nutrition outcomes, has helped combat malnutrition and stunting among new born children and has improved health of mothers, particularly in rural areas. BISP has allocated PKR 42 billion (approx. USD 144 million) to the Program, benefiting 2.6 million pregnant and lactating women, contributing to better maternal and infant health outcomes. A Vision for the Future: Expanding Global Cooperation: The South-South Cooperation forum marks the beginning of a new chapter in Pakistan’s social welfare journey, one that involves sharing lessons learned with other developing nations while also learning from their unique challenges and solutions.
As Senator Rubina Khalid, Chairperson of BISP, aptly put it during the forum: “The success of BISP is not only a significant achievement for Pakistan, but it has also brought in international recognition as a model of effective social protection. It is a moment of immense pride for our nation to witness our social protection program being studied and admired by countries worldwide. I am delighted to see the vision of Benazir Bhutto Shaheed transforming into a tangible reality, now celebrated on the global stage. BISP has become a flagship program and a case study for many countries striving to establish their own social protection systems.” The Recognition of BISP as a model for social protection is a testament to Pakistan’s ability to create meaningful change at both the national and international levels, BISP is not just shaping Pakistan’s future but also contributing to UNDP global goals of No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Good Health, Gender Equality, Decent Work and Economic Growth & Reduced Inequalities for a more inclusive Pakistan.
—The writer is Director Media, Communication & Outreach.
