Islamabad : Chairman of Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) Dr Muhammad Amjad Saqib said that BISP has achieved several milestones in the last 15 years with the support of its international development partners, especially the World Bank. Dr Amjad Saqib welcomed the World Bank delegation led by Senior Social Protection Specialist Amjad Zafar Khan. WB Mission made an in-depth five-day visit to BISP.The main objective of this task was to provide an overview and recommendations on the implementation of the Crisis Resilient Social Protection Program (CRISP). Dr. Amjad Saqib highlighted the strategy to lift poor households out of poverty through skills development and microfinance programs. He emphasized the importance of saving scheme BISP which promotes saving trend among consumers.Dr. Amjad Saqib discussed the introduction of a new banking system to address the challenges faced by poor families in line with BISP’s commitment to economic empowerment while protecting the dignity of poor women. He thanked the National Socio-Economic Register (NSER) for collecting real data on household income and noted, andquot;When BISP rises, Pakistan rises.andquot;In the meeting, WB Senior Social Protection Specialist Amjad Zafar Khan expressed his satisfaction over the implementation of all BISP initiatives under CRISP and particularly appreciated the BISP Savings Plan. Zafar Khan stated that BISP was successful in achieving the goals set in the Kafaalati, Nashonuma and Taleem Wazaif programs.During the five-day visit, the World Bank delegation also visited the BISP National Center in Muzaffarabad, recognizing BISP as an exemplary program compared to other countries. President of BISP welcomed the delegation and suggestions for improvement of the program. 4,444 World Bank representatives actively participated in the meeting, including World Bank consultant Gul Najam Jamy, economist Zaineb Majoka and social protection specialist Amna Khan. BISP was represented by key officials including Addl. Secretary BISP Dr. Muhammad Tahir Noor, PO NSER, PO Finance, PO OM, PO MCO, PO Internal Audit, Head of International Cooperation and Head of Procurement.
