ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Poverty Alleviation & Social Safety reviewed the performance of Benazir Income Support Programme and Baitu-ul-Mal in Balochistan.
The Standing Committee meeting was chaired by Senator Sardar Al Haj Muhammad Umer Gorgaijon on Friday to deliberate on a wide range of budgetary regulatory matters of BISP and Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal. The Committee was informed that a 20 percent decrease in stunting among children was noted in Balochistan. The Chairperson of the BISP urged that all eligible children be registered under the same initiative. It was informed that any child with a score of up to 60 would qualify for inclusion in the Benazir Nashonuma Program.
The Committee was briefed that 80 BISP centres are currently operational across Balochistan. However, it was observed that several BISP offices are functioning from private accommodations, making it difficult for the public to locate them. It was therefore recommended that BISP centres be established in well-known and easily accessible locations.
It was further informed that a Benazir Hunarmand Program is set to be launched to equip individuals with employable skills. A recommendation was made to allocate Rs. 1 billion for the implementation of this programme.
The Chairman also recommended making appointments on a contract basis to facilitate the local community. However, Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal and BISP officials informed the Committee that none of these departments is permitted to make appointments on a contractual basis.
The Chairperson of the BISP further explained that BISP’s work is field-oriented and includes gazetted posts, which are not required to be filled through contractual appointments.
It was noted that the Committee’s earlier recommendation on this matter had already been forwarded to the Finance Division, but no action had been taken. The Committee therefore decided to summon the Finance Division to examine the feasibility of allowing contractual appointments in both departments in the next meeting.
The Committee also recommended that lower-grade staffs who have served for the past ten years should have their services regularized.
During the discussion on the number of employees on deputation serving in Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal, it was informed that a total of four employees are currently working on deputation, all borrowed from the Education sector. The Committee expressed concern over the practice of appointing staff on deputation from the Education and Health Departments and discouraged the continuation of this trend.
The Secretary PA&SS informed the Committee that the PGP project is a USD134.2 billion initiative covering 35 districts, including 12 districts from Balochistan. It was further shared that the NRSP and NPGP offices are primarily operating in Sindh. The Members recommended summoning the relevant NGOs and attached departments to brief the Committee on their performance and progress.
It was noted that the NPGP project has concluded, and the PGP project, funded by the Islamic Development Bank, is set to commence. The BISP, the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), and Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal continue to contribute toward achieving SDG-1 (No Poverty).
The meeting was attended by Senators Rubina Qaimkhani, Abdul Shakoor Khan, Dost Ali Jeesar, and Jan Muhammad.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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