'Act Local, Think Global' main theme of BISP World Bank to continue its cooperation

Posted on 10 months ago

F.P. Report
ISLAMABAD: "Act Local Think Global" is the main theme of Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) as the programme is incorporating globally accepted practices into the delivery of services to the deserving people of Pakistan. Inequality and poverty are transnational phenomena and require integrated action both at national and international level. BISP has not only played role in the socio-economic empowerment of marginalized segment but it has also given identity to 15 million women of Pakistan by helping to provide them Identity Cards. This was said by Federal Minister and Chairperson BISP, Farzana Raja while addressing at a seminar "Development Dialogue on Poverty and Inequality - Challenges, Lessons and Policy Choices for Pakistan" organized by World Bank in a local hotel here.
Other speakers at the seminar were Dr. Hafeez Sheikh, Minister for Finance, Mr. Rachid Benmessaoud, Country Director World Bank Pakistan, Professor Franciois Bourguigonn, Director Paris School of Economics and Representatives from Ministry of Finance, BISP and other organizations.
Speaking on the occasion, Professor Francois Bourguignon, Director Paris School of Economics said that BISP is helping to create better equality and is proving quite instrumental in alleviating poverty thus bridging the gap between have and have nots. A sense of change can be felt which should be adopted by other countries also.
Farzana Raja further highlighted that fighting poverty and inequality is as important as the war against terrorism fought by the world today. She said that instead of waiting for the trickle down effects of positive economic measures, BISP has adopted the mechanism of providing targeted subsidies by reaching out to 7 million most deserving people across Pakistan. She said that through Nationwide poverty Census BISP has setup a data of 180 million households which is available to all government departments, national and international development partners, NGOs and INGOs to formulate policies to help tackle poverty and inequality in the country. She further stressed on the need to engage corporate sector in BISP to ensure sustainability of the programme.
Addressing the Seminar, Dr. Hafeez Sheikh highlighted few strategies evolved and implemented by the current government to reduce poverty and inequality in the society.
Rachid Benmessaoud, Country Director World Bank Pakistan while agreeing to the proposition of Farzana Raja to engage corporate sector support for BISP ensured Bank's continuous cooperation with BISP.
Earlier Ahsan Ali Mangi, Director Operations BISP gave detailed presentation on BISP and informed audience about various pro-poor initiatives including Waseela-e-Haq, Waseela-e-Rozgar, Waseela-e-Taleem, Life Insurance and Health insurance which are proving instrumental for improving the lives of the millions of beneficiary families.

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