ISLAMABAD by IMTISAL BUKHARI
Senator Rubina Khalid, Chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), has said that the Benazir Nutrition Program is progressing successfully and will be expanded in the coming years. She emphasized the importance of sustaining this positive momentum, noting that the health of today’s children is crucial for future generations.
She made these remarks on Tuesday while addressing a three-day conference on nutrition and social protection, organized jointly by the governments of Pakistan and Timor-Leste under the Global Task Force and the World Food Programme.
Senator Khalid highlighted that since its inception in 2008, BISP has played a key role in Pakistan’s social protection landscape, transforming welfare schemes into a nationally integrated program and introducing innovations such as digital payments, beneficiary registration, and nutrition-sensitive interventions. She noted that BISP currently supports over 10 million families across Pakistan.
Focusing on the Benazir Kafalat, scholarships, and the internationally recognized Benazir Nutrition Program, she said the initiative has benefited 3.9 million mothers and children with nutritious food and healthcare services, significantly improving child growth outcomes. Launched in 2020 in collaboration with WFP, UNICEF, and WHO, the program targets pregnant and lactating women and children under two, emphasizing early nutrition interventions during the first 1,000 days.
Senator Khalid cited a recent study by Aga Khan University in Karachi, which found a 20% reduction in stunting among six-month-old children benefiting from the program. She also referenced a statement by President Asif Ali Zardari, highlighting the integration of nutrition into social protection as a major milestone.
The conference included delegates from the UN, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Nepal, Niger, Timor-Leste, and Pakistan, who exchanged lessons, evidence, and innovations for effectively integrating nutrition into national social protection systems.
WFP Country Director Coco Ashiama praised Pakistan’s experience, stating that linking social protection with nutrition is not only feasible and effective but also a worthwhile investment requiring sustained financing. Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta, Ceu Brites, Deputy Minister for Social Protection and Inclusion, and Global Task Force leaders lauded Pakistan’s leadership in advancing nutrition-focused social protection and thanked France for supporting the Global Task Force.
Senator Khalid concluded that collaborative efforts can create a world where no mother, child, or family is left behind, reaffirming the commitment of participating governments and partners to ensure no one suffers from hunger or malnutrition.