Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) and Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) will work together to eradicate poverty through a new skills development initiative. The collaboration, announced during a meeting at KCCI, aims to equip BISP beneficiaries with market-required skills and provide them with employment opportunities.

BISP Sindh Director General Zulfiqar Ali Sheikh proposed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with KCCI, focusing on identifying required skills, recommending certified training centers, and ensuring program effectiveness. Sheikh emphasized the importance of business community cooperation so that BISP can understand the needs of the job market and provide relevant training.

BISP is supporting one crore families across the country, including 2.7 million families in Sindh, but officials acknowledge that financial assistance alone is not a long-term solution. Given rising poverty, the program aims to empower beneficiaries through skills development and sustainable employment opportunities.

BISP Additional Secretary Dr. Tahir Noor revealed that the government has allocated Rs 720 billion for BISP this year. However, given the 45 percent poverty rate, a strategy shift is necessary. The Benazir Skill Development Program, a pilot project led by Chairperson Senator Rubina Khalid, will provide low-income individuals with market-oriented training and starter kits. KCCI’s expertise will be crucial in identifying industry skills, recommending credible training providers, and integrating trained individuals into the workforce.

KCCI President Muhammad Javed Bilwani welcomed the partnership and stressed the importance of transparent fund management. He described the skills development program as a practical way to achieve self-sufficiency, emphasizing skill development rather than continuous financial aid. Bilwani also shed light on Karachi’s industrial landscape, including challenges such as high energy costs and labor shortages. He expressed confidence that combining BISP’s vast network with KCCI’s industrial knowledge will result in positive social and economic impacts. He pledged full cooperation in sharing industrial data, suggesting training facilities, and expanding program outreach. He highlighted the significant social benefits gained when a BISP beneficiary becomes economically empowered.