Islamabad: According to a press release issued by the National Assembly Secretariat, The Standing Committee on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety held its 07th meeting on Monday at 11:00 a.m. in the Committee Room / Board Room of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), located on the Ground Floor of F-Block, Pak Secretariat, Islamabad. Presided over by the Honourable Mir Ghulam Ali Talpur, the session delved into pivotal issues surrounding the enhancement and implementation of social protection systems across the country.
The Committee expressed profound concern over the unexplained absence of the Secretary of the Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division, issuing a directive that all future absences must be formally communicated in writing well in advance.
In a strategic move to bolster oversight and provide actionable insights, the Committee constituted a subcommittee comprising the following members: Nawabzada Iftikhar Ahmed Khan Babar (Convenor), Ahmad Atteeq Anwar, Ms. Aasia Ishaque Siddiqui and Mr. Mohammad Ilyas Choudhary. The sub committee's mandate, as outlined in its Terms of Reference (TORs), is to critically evaluate and monitor BISP's implementation of its newly proposed payment disbursement model, ensuring transparency and efficiency.
During the meeting, MNA Ahmed Ateeq Anwar, a distinguished member of the previous subcommittee as well, delivered a comprehensive briefing on the subcommittee's findings. He underscored the rigorous efforts undertaken to achieve the stipulated objectives, which were met with widespread acclaim. The Committee unanimously endorsed the sub committee's report, recognizing its meticulous approach and valuable contributions.
The Committee unanimously approved The Zakat and Ushr (Amendment) Bill 2025, presented by Ms. Shazia Marri, MNA, marking a significant legislative milestone.
The Managing Director of Pakistan Bait ul Maal provided an extensive overview of the organization's operational framework, announcing the imminent launch of a nationwide awareness campaign designed to amplify outreach and engagement. He extended his gratitude for the Committee's invaluable guidance and invited members to oversee the organization's highly responsive call centre. Furthermore, he elaborated on a collaborative food distribution initiative involving 33 private vendors, emphasizing the organization's commitment to transparency by sharing resident records of Shelter Homes with local law enforcement agencies to ensure security and accountability.
The Chairperson of BISP raised pressing concerns regarding the operational impediments caused by the absence of a dedicated BISP cadre and a chronic shortage of officers and officials. She highlighted the adverse impact of the government's recruitment ban, which has stifled institutional growth and continuity since 2012, compelling the organization to rely heavily on deputationists. In response, the Committee instructed the Secretary of BISP to formulate a comprehensive and strategic proposal addressing these staffing challenges for submission to the government.
The Committee also voiced significant reservations regarding the proposed amendments to the Memorandum of Association of the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF). It mandated a thorough technical and legal briefing from the Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division prior to any deliberations on PPAF's potential transition into a State-Owned Enterprise.
The Committee was attended by the following members of the National Assembly: Mir Ghulam Ali Talpur, Mir Khan Muhammad Jamali, Mr. Misbah Uddin, Mr. Mohammad Ilyas Choudhary, Mr. Awais Haider Jakhar, Ms. Aasia Ishaque Siddiqui , Mr. Muhammad Bashir Khan, Ms. Aniqa Mehdi, Mr. Arshad Abdullah Vohra, and Mr. Jamshaid Ahmad, whereas Adil Khan Bazai, Nawabzada Iftikhar Ahmed Khan Babar, Mr. Shafqat Abbas, Shahid Usman, and Shazia Marri attended the meeting virtually. The senior officers of the Ministry and representatives from its allied departments, including BISP, PBM, and PPAF, were also in attendance.