Benazir Income Support Program’s Future in Limbo: Proposed Shift to Employment Scheme Sparks Political Debate
Independent Report
Islamabad, Sep. 25, The future of the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) remains uncertain as a proposal to convert it into a national employment initiative triggers heated political discussions across Pakistan.
Federal Advisor Rana Sanaullah has voiced strong support for the initiative, highlighting its potential to directly generate employment opportunities while enhancing the program’s overall effectiveness. In an exclusive statement to a private news outlet, he revealed that the government intends to consult with Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leadership regarding the proposed changes. The plan includes rebranding BISP as the “Benazir Rozgar Scheme”, linking its benefits directly to job creation, and inviting PPP leaders to provide insights on the proposed transformation.
However, the proposal has met with sharp criticism from Punjab’s provincial government. Information Minister Azma Bukhari questioned BISP’s suitability for flood relief efforts, citing concerns over the program’s capacity to reach unregistered beneficiaries. She criticized reliance on a system she believes failed to manage Sindh’s resources effectively, calling it inadequate for addressing the massive devastation caused by recent floods.
On the other hand, PPP National Assembly member Asifa Bhutto Zardari defended BISP as an efficient and reliable disaster response mechanism. She stressed that with its existing database and extensive outreach network, BISP remains the fastest and most effective channel to deliver aid to flood-affected populations. Highlighting the plight of over 4 million people affected by the recent floods in Punjab, Bhutto Zardari urged the provincial government to utilize the program instead of rejecting it.
The debate over BISP’s transformation—from a poverty alleviation program to a national employment scheme—underscores rising political tensions surrounding its role, particularly in the context of Pakistan’s flood recovery and disaster management efforts.
