Islamabad: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) Joint Review Mission visited the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Headquarters on to review progress on the Integrated Social Protection Development Program (ISPDP) and its Additional Financing (AF). Chairperson BISP Senator Rubina Khalid and Secretary Amer Ali Ahmad warmly welcomed the mission and lauded ADB's role in enhancing Pakistan's social safety net, which continues to impact millions of vulnerable households across the country.

During the meeting, Chairperson Senator Rubina Khalid highlighted the importance of the centralized National Socioeconomic Registry (NSER) database, underscoring that all provinces must recognize its sensitivity and national significance. She emphasized that BISP serves the poorest of the poor, without any distinction of ethnicity, province, language, or political affiliation. She further proposed the development of joint dashboards with provinces for secure and efficient data-sharing while ensuring the highest standards of data protection.

The Chairperson also shared that 11 million children are currently enrolled in the Benazir Taleemi Wazaif Programme. She further stated that provinces, through consultation with BISP, can take the lead in the education and health sectors in regions where BISP's services are not available.

Future areas of collaboration with ADB were also discussed, including human resource development through skill training, enhanced awareness and outreach efforts, and programmes on climate resilience and asset transfers to support vulnerable communities.

ADB Mission Leaders Ms. Xin Long (virtually), and Co-Mission Leader and Principal Public Sector Specialist Laisiasa Tora, praised BISP for its strong commitment and determination, and reaffirmed ADB's continued cooperation and productive partnership with BISP.

Other participants from the ADB delegation included Mansoor Ali Masood, Senior Project Officer; Fayyaz Khan, Project Officer (Education); Charles Felix Simbillo, Associate Project Officer; Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, TA Team Leader/NSPS; and Noman Ali, Program Implementation Specialist. From BISP, Additional Secretary Dr. Asmat Nawaz and all Director Generals attended the meeting and actively contributed to the discussions.