Islamabad: Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Senator Rubina Khalid, met with ADB's Principal Social Protection Specialist, Ms. Xin Long, at BISP Headquarters. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss providing employment opportunities through skill training and the promotion of non-formal education for members of deserving households benefiting from BISP. The meeting also covered maternal and child health, nutrition measures, and educational stipends for school-going children of beneficiaries.

During the meeting, Chairperson BISP Senator Rubina Khalid emphasized that to bring economic improvement to the lives of deserving individuals, it is important to provide them with non-formal education and skill training aligned with international demands, enabling them to access better job opportunities. Senator Rubina Khalid highlighted the importance of international certifications, stressing that training certifications must be authentic and of high standard to ensure employment opportunities abroad for deserving individuals.

Senator Rubina Khalid further stated that there is a global demand for skilled labor, and thus, non-formal education should be integrated with skill training to help deserving individuals not only to graduate from poverty but also stand on their own feet and contribute to the country's economy. Ms. Xin Long praised the initiative of providing skill training to deserving individuals under the Benazir Hunarmand Programme and assured Senator Rubina Khalid of ADB's full support.