BISP launches directory covering profiles of beneficiaries

ISLAMABAD: The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) launched on Friday a ‘demographic directory’ covering profiles of beneficiary families on economic, social, educational and other dimensions.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said the government had enhanced the BISP budget from Rs40 billion to Rs102bn in the fiscal year 2015-16. The monthly stipend had been raised from Rs1,200 to Rs1,800 and with the increased budget the BISP would try to attain the target of 5.3 million beneficiaries, he said.

He announced that Pakistan was set to achieve the $20bn foreign exchange reserve mark in next few weeks, and said that all international rating agencies were now holding the country’s economy in high esteem. The country’s foreign exchange reserves had already reached close to $19bn, he added.

“Our economy is stable and now we are embarking on the journey towards growth and economic consolidation,” he said and referred to a report of Jim O’Neill, a British economist, who had predicted that Pakistan would be the 18th leading economy by 2050. He said that with dedicated efforts “we wish to reach that stage in half the time”.

BISP chairperson Marvi Memon also spoke.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play