ISLAMABAD, October 28, 2026: The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and SZABIST ZABTech have agreed to collaborate on a pilot project to provide vocational training to 50 women from BISP beneficiary families in Karachi and Shaheed Benazirabad, aiming to improve their employment prospects and promote financial independence.
The initiative was discussed during a meeting between BISP Chairperson Senator Rubina Khalid and SZABIST ZABTech Executive Director Waheed Mahesar.
According to BISP, the pilot project is being undertaken on the directions of First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari as part of efforts to strengthen women’s economic empowerment through practical skills development.
Under the programme, 25 women from Karachi and 25 from Shaheed Benazirabad will receive three months of market-oriented technical and vocational training.
The training is designed to equip participants with employable skills and create opportunities for sustainable livelihoods and self-employment.
Training to cover IT, solar technology and entrepreneurship
The proposed training programme will focus on trades and technical skills relevant to employment opportunities and local market demand.
These include hospitality, information technology, digital skills, beauty services, stitching, handicrafts, mobile phone repair, solar technology and entrepreneurship.
Participants will receive a monthly stipend to help meet transportation expenses during the training period.
Upon successful completion, trainees will also be provided with toolkits to support their entry into employment or self-employment.
The initiative includes post-training assistance aimed at connecting graduates with potential employers and helping them explore income-generating opportunities.
Rubina Khalid highlights women’s economic empowerment
During the meeting, Senator Rubina Khalid appreciated First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari’s continued support for BISP, particularly the Benazir Hunarmand Programme (BHP).
She said the programme was intended to complement financial assistance with skills development, enabling women from beneficiary families to pursue sustainable livelihood opportunities.
The BISP chairperson emphasised that vocational education and market-relevant training could play an important role in helping disadvantaged women improve their economic circumstances.
She described the pilot project as a practical step towards translating the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment into opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship.
Partnership could expand to more beneficiaries
SZABIST ZABTech Executive Director Waheed Mahesar and other representatives appreciated the objectives of the Benazir Hunarmand Programme and expressed interest in establishing a long-term partnership with BISP.
Both organisations discussed the potential for expanding technical and vocational training opportunities to additional beneficiary families following the pilot phase.
The participants expressed hope that the initiative would provide a foundation for wider institutional cooperation in skills development and economic empowerment.
The meeting was also attended by BISP Director General Conditional Cash Transfers Dr Asim Ijaz, Benazir Hunarmand Programme Focal Person Humaira Farooq, Training Specialist Aoun Sahi and SZABIST ZABTech Programme Manager Arshma Shah.
BISP said the proposed collaboration would support its broader objective of linking social protection with skills development and sustainable income opportunities for beneficiary households.