Latest news with #Benazir
Business Recorder
21 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
BISP to launch Benazir Hunarmand Programme
ISLAMABAD: Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) is set to launch Benazir Hunarmand Programme on 21 June, a press release said on Tuesday. This initiative aims at equipping BISP beneficiaries with skills for self-reliance and sustainable employment, the press release added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
BISP to launch retail-based payment model from today
ISLAMABAD: The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) is set to launch its new retail-based payment model from Monday (today) to protect the beneficiaries from severe heat wave conditions, marking a major shift from the traditional campsite-based disbursement mechanism. This transition aims to ensure safer, more dignified, and accessible payment services for beneficiaries, especially in light of the ongoing heatwave across several regions. In preparation for the disbursement of the Quarter 4 tranche, Additional Secretary BISP Dr. Tahir Noor visited District Khanewal Sunday. The purpose of the visit was to assess field readiness, review arrangements, and engage with district teams and representatives of partner banks to ensure seamless execution of the new payment system. Dr. Tahir Noor underscored that the retail model is being introduced to provide beneficiaries with an improved experience through convenient access points, biometric verification, and a more transparent process that includes printed receipts. He reiterated BISP's commitment to ensuring that cash transfers are made in a manner that upholds the dignity, ease, and respect of every beneficiary. He directed partner banks to ensure the full functionality of all retail outlets. This includes the presence of trained staff, the availability of biometric devices, reliable network connectivity, and the visible display of awareness material to guide beneficiaries at each payment point. Dr Noor also instructed BISP field teams to conduct clear and timely communication campaigns so that all beneficiaries are informed well in advance about the new disbursement procedures. Earlier in the week, Dr. Tahir Noor visited Multan and Bahawalpur as part of his broader South Punjab oversight tour. During these visits, he reviewed field preparations and engaged in coordination meetings with regional BISP officials and representatives of partner financial institutions. He emphasized the importance of strong coordination among all stakeholders, including BISP field staff, partner banks, local administrations, and the beneficiaries themselves. He stressed that the singular focus of all teams should be the delivery of full cash grants to the intended recipients while ensuring their comfort and respect throughout the process. The new retail payment model will formally go into effect from June 16. Beneficiaries are advised to visit only their designated retail outlets with their original CNICs. They must collect their full payments along with printed receipts. In case of any issues or complaints, beneficiaries are encouraged to contact their respective Tehsil BISP office or call the BISP helpline at 0800-26477. This transformation in the payment mechanism represents a significant step forward in BISP's mission to deliver citizen-centric and transparent service delivery to Pakistan's most vulnerable communities.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
BISP to launch retail payment model amid heatwave
Listen to article Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) is set to roll out a retail-based payment model starting Monday, replacing its traditional campsite disbursement system to safeguard beneficiaries from the ongoing severe heatwave, state television PTV reported. The new system aims to provide safer, more dignified, and accessible cash transfers, particularly for vulnerable groups in high-temperature regions. As part of field preparations, BISP Additional Secretary Dr Tahir Noor visited District Khanewal to review the readiness of retail outlets and coordinate with district teams and partner banks. ایڈیشنل سیکرٹری بی آئی ایس پی ڈاکٹر طاہر نور نے آج بینظیر انکم سپورٹ پروگرام کی چوتھی سہ ماہی قسط کی ریٹیل پیمنٹ ماڈل کے تحت تقسیم کے لیے جاری تیاریوں کے سلسلے میں ضلع خانیوال کا دورہ کیا۔اس دورے کا مقصد فیلڈ سطح پر تیاریوں کا جائزہ لینا، ضلعی ٹیموں اور شراکت دار بینکوں کے… — Benazir Income Support Programme (@bisp_pakistan) June 15, 2025 'The retail model is being introduced to provide beneficiaries with an improved experience through convenient access points, biometric verification, and a more transparent process that includes printed receipts,' said Dr Noor. He reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring cash disbursements are handled with respect, efficiency, and transparency. He also directed partner banks to guarantee that all retail outlets are fully operational, with trained staff, biometric verification systems, consistent internet connectivity, and clear signage to assist recipients. Dr Noor instructed BISP field staff to intensify communication efforts so beneficiaries are well-informed about the new payment process ahead of the rollout. ایڈیشنل سیکرٹری بی آئی ایس پی، ڈاکٹر طاہر نور کی زیر صدارت بہاولپور میں بی آئی ایس پی کے ضلعی دفتر میں ایک اعلیٰ سطحی اجلاس منعقد ہوا۔ اجلاس کا مقصد بینظیر کفالت کی چوتھی سہ ماہی قسط کی تقسیم کے لیے ریٹیل ایجنٹس کے ذریعے کیے جانے والے حتمی انتظامات کا جائزہ لینا تھا۔ اس موقع پر… — Benazir Income Support Programme (@bisp_pakistan) June 14, 2025 Earlier this week, he visited Multan and Bahawalpur as part of a wider oversight tour of South Punjab. There, he held meetings with BISP officials and financial partners to strengthen coordination ahead of the system's launch. 'All stakeholders, including BISP staff, banks, and local authorities, must focus on delivering full payments with dignity and ease,' he said. Under the new model, beneficiaries are advised to visit only their designated retail outlets with their original CNICs to collect the full amount of the Quarter 4 tranche, along with printed receipts. Any issues or complaints can be reported at local BISP Tehsil offices or through the programme's helpline at 0800-26477. The move marks a major step in BISP's shift toward citizen-focused and transparent social service delivery, aimed at improving access and dignity for Pakistan's most vulnerable communities.
Express Tribune
15-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
3,000 utility store employees laid off in a single day amid restructuring
Listen to article In a major move, the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) has initiated a large-scale restructuring, resulting in the termination of nearly 3,000 employees in a single day. According to reports, the layoff orders were issued on a holiday, with the first phase of the restructuring focusing on the dismissal of daily wage workers. Reports indicate that most of the dismissed employees had been with the corporation for over 10 years. In the next phase, thousands of contract workers are also expected to face termination. This restructuring follows a recent decision by the federal government as on January 22, the federal cabinet formed a committee to review the potential closure of USC operations. Government sources revealed that the committee will be led by the Federal Minister for Industries and Production, and will include key figures such as the Minister of State for Finance and Revenue, the Minister of State for IT, as well as senior officials from the ministries of Finance, Industries, Privatization, and the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP). In August 2024, the federal government made the decision to shut down the Utility Stores Corporation (USC). Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif sought proposals regarding the closure, and as part of this process, the government also discontinued a Rs 50 billion subsidy for USC. Additionally, in a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, a decision was made to reduce administrative costs and streamline the state machinery, leading to the closure of 28 departments across five ministries. These included the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions, the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications, the Ministry of Industries and Production, and the Ministry of National Health Services. The Ministry of Industries and Production also included USC in the privatization list in August 2024. The Privatization Commission hired a financial advisor, with plans to privatize the corporation in stages. On November 15, 2024, during a Senate Standing Committee meeting on Industries and Production, Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain revealed that 3,000 of the USC's 11,000 employees had been hired during the tenure of former Punjab Chief Minister Manzoor Watto, who recruited them from the Tehsil of Dera Ghazi Khan. Minister Tanveer confirmed that, while discussions had taken place about closing USC, the Ministry of Industries and Production had opposed the move. He also noted that many stores in Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan were operating at a loss, with 2,400 out of 4,300 stores reporting financial deficits.
Express Tribune
26-01-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Five BISP centres sealed over complaints
SARGODHA: The Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) Deputy Director Raazia Asim said that Rs10,500 each was being paid through 26 retail centers to registered women under the BISP Kifalat programme across the district. "Five payment centres in the district have been sealed over complaints," she added.
