President Asif Ali Zardari will inaugurate the Hunarmand Portal under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) on June 21, commemorating the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.
The Benazir Hunarmand Programme (BHP) is designed to transform skill development into a sustainable pathway for economic empowerment and poverty reduction. In a notable step toward gender inclusion, half of all training opportunities will be reserved for women, reaffirming BISP’s long-standing focus on women’s empowerment, according to an official press release issued Tuesday.
Described as a groundbreaking initiative, BHP is BISP’s first structured skill development program aimed at empowering beneficiaries and their families with market-driven vocational skills.
Ahead of the launch, BISP Chairperson Senator Rubina Khalid and Secretary Amer Ali Ahmad hosted a high-level consultative workshop at the BISP headquarters. The session gathered stakeholders from the ‘Friends of BISP’ platform, including chambers of commerce, development agencies like WFP, WHO, GIZ, and prominent national and international NGOs.
Participants pledged their support through employment offers, internship programs, and industry linkages for programme graduates, recognizing BHP as a catalyst for sustainable development.
Set to be unveiled by President Zardari, the launch will also serve as a tribute to Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, who laid the foundation of BISP with the mission of promoting dignity, justice, and empowerment for Pakistan’s most vulnerable communities.
“This marks a major evolution for BISP,” said Chairperson Rubina Khalid. “We’re moving beyond financial aid to provide skills that build independence and long-term resilience. As Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto rightly said, ‘Skill is your real wealth.’”
She added that artisans will also be supported through this program, not only by offering them training, but by helping them connect with markets to sell their handmade products, turning craft into a sustainable income.
Secretary Amer Ali Ahmad emphasized the importance of inclusive growth and stakeholder engagement. He praised the collaborative efforts seen during the consultative workshop and stressed the need for continued partnerships to create tangible outcomes for BISP families.
“This initiative represents a strategic shift—from short-term assistance to building capacity for a more secure and self-reliant future,” he concluded.
Very good!