- Central American countries acknowledge BISP’s efforts
ISLAMABAD: Minister for State and Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Chairperson Marvi Memon has said that poverty has no boundaries and all countries should come up with a plan to complement each other’s effort to serve the people in a better way.
She said this at a conference on social innovation and inclusion held in Punta Cana in Dominican Republic, said a statement issued on Thursday. Central American and Caribbean countries participated in the conference whereas Pakistan was the only country invited from South Asia.
While highlighting the key achievements of BISP, she emphasised the need for the establishment of an international secretariat on inter-sectoral approach for social inclusion to serve the people who matter the most. On the occasion, Memon highlighted that all linked sectors should be involved in policy making and design for successful implementation of social inclusion through inter-sectoral approach.
She also highlighted the need for technology-based payment mechanism in cash transfer programmes, especially during disasters, for rapid and transparent delivery to affected people. She offered the services of BISP for helping other countries in establishing better payment systems based on lessons learnt in the context of Pakistan.
All the participating countries acknowledged the efforts made by BISP and its leadership to serve the poor with dignity and agreed to work together to handle the common issues through inter-sectoral approach within the countries.
On the other hand, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Country Director (CD) Ignacio Artaza called on BISP Secretary Omar Hamid Khan.
The BISP secretary briefed the UNDP country head in detail about the National Socio-Economic Registry (NSER), technology-based payments, CCT for primary education, complementary initiatives, graduation programme, BISP endowment fund and other key partnerships of BISP including with MIT, Harvard and LSE for recently launched graduation model.
The UNDP country director appreciated the industrious effort being put in by the BISP to facilitate the poor segments of society. He particularly showed interest in BISP Endowment Fund (BEF) and agreed to identify areas for the mutual cooperation to work for the betterment of the community at large.
