RECORDER REPORT

PESHAWAR: Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WCCI) Peshawar on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for imparting skill development training to 500 beneficiaries of the programme.

Those who witnessed the ceremony included Chairperson BISP, Marvi Memon, President of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI), Haji Mohammad Afzal, BISP officials and representatives of different walks of life. Director General BISP, Peshawar, Irfan Aman Yousafzai and President WCCI, Shamama Arbab signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organizations.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairperson BISP, Marvi Memon said that investing in women’s economic empowerment sets a direct path towards poverty alleviation and financial inclusiveness and BISP is trying its best to empower its beneficiaries through various initiatives.

According to the MoU, 500 BISP beneficiaries would be trained in dress making, jewelry designing, fashion designing, leather goods, home accessories and woven wool products.

On the occasion, Chairperson WCCI Itrat Bilour acknowledged the efforts of BISP for the betterment of the poor and assured that this cooperation would strengthen further. Marvi said that these trainings would open new avenues of opportunities for BISP beneficiaries making them financially and economically empowered.

The chairperson thanked the WCCI for their cooperation and urged other organizations to come forward and play role in social development.

Later, chairperson BISP presented BISP Progress Report 2014-2016 to Governor KP Iqbal Zafar Jhagra at a plenary conference at Governor House Peshawar.

The conference was attended by Members Provincial Assembly, Consul General of Iran, administrative secretaries of various departments, Vice Chancellors of universities, representatives of NGOs, civil society, journalists and BISP beneficiaries. The Governor KP while appreciating the role of present government in making BISP a success story said that BISP was brain child of Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar. He further said that the stipend goes to women making them more confident and empowered. The governor added that BISP’s efforts to uplift FATA are admirable. He also appreciated chairperson BISP for initiating new poverty survey for NSER update.

During the conference, Governor KP distributed appreciation certificates among BISP beneficiaries from KP for their bravery and struggle against poverty.