BENAZIR HUNARMAND PROGRAM

KARACHI: Director General Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) Sindh, Zulfiqar Ali Shaikh, has proposed that the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BISP under the Benazir Hunarmand Program which would enable both institutions to collaborate in identifying demand-driven skills, recommending certified training institutes, and jointly exploring avenues to make the program successful.
“We want to establish a robust mechanism where the business community guides us on labor market needs, so we can ensure that beneficiaries of BISP receive the right training, become employable, and ultimately self-reliant”, he added while exchanging views at a meeting during his visit to KCCI on Monday.
Additional Secretary BISP Dr. Tahir Noor, Outreach Consultant BISP Naveed Khan, President KCCI Muhammad Jawed Bilwani, Vice Faisal Khalil Ahmed, Former Presidents Junaid Esmail Makda and Muhammad Idrees along with KCCI Managing Committee Members were also present at the meeting.
DG BISP Sindh emphasized that 10 million families across Pakistan including 2.7 million in Sindh were benefitting from BISP but relying solely on cash stipends is not sustainable in the long term. “With poverty continuing to rise, our approach must evolve. This partnership with KCCI can become a turning point by linking vulnerable households with economic opportunities”, he noted, adding that this would not only improve individual livelihoods but also help address skilled labor shortages in Pakistan’s industrial and manufacturing sectors.
Additional Secretary BISP Dr. Tahir Noor elaborated that the government has allocated Rs 720 billion this year under BISP, with Rs 13,500 stipend being disbursed to women in eligible families. However, the increasing number of households below the poverty line, now estimated at 45 percent of the population, requires a paradigm shift. “This is why Chairperson Senator Rubina Khalid has championed the Benazir Hunarmand Program, a pilot project aimed at training individuals from low-income households as per market needs. After training, they will also be equipped with starter kits so they can launch small businesses or find meaningful employment”, he said.
He stressed that BISP needs KCCI’s assistance in identifying the real-time demand of Karachi’s industry, endorsing training institutions whose certifications are acceptable in the job market, and ensuring that those trained under the program can integrate into industrial units with minimal friction. “This is not just about reducing dependency on stipends, this is about creating productive citizens who can contribute to the economy”, he remarked.
Earlier, President KCCI Muhammad Jawed Bilwani welcomed the delegation and expressed strong support for the proposed collaboration. He underscored the need for strict oversight to ensure that BISP funds are used efficiently and reach only the most deserving. Referring to the Benazir Hunarmand Program, he praised the idea of transitioning from welfare to empowerment, stating, “We fully support this initiative because it aims to break the cycle of poverty. Giving skills instead of permanent aid is the right way forward.”
Bilwani also highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by Karachi’s industries, including high electricity tariffs, lack of skilled manpower, and an inconsistent policy environment. “With BISP’s outreach and KCCI’s industry insight, this partnership can truly deliver results, both in terms of social uplift and economic development.”
He assured KCCI’s full cooperation in sharing industry trends, recommending reliable training partners, and assisting with the scaling-up of the pilot program beyond its initial phase. “Once a person from a BISP household becomes economically active, it creates a multiplier effect that lifts entire communities”, he concluded.