BISP and PITB join hands to end poverty

Lahore : The Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), in collaboration with the Punjab IT Board (PITB), will reinforce its operational and monitoring mechanism to fight poverty, illiteracy, disease and unemployment from Pakistan effectively. It was conceded during a meeting held at Arfa IT Tower Lahore on last day.

The meeting was attended among others by Minister of State/ Chairperson BISP, Marvi Memon,PITB’s Chairman Dr. Umar Saif, Secretary BISP Muhammad Salim Ranjha, DG of BISP Punjab Ms. Sara Saeed and officers from both organizations. Dr. Saif gave a detailed presentation on the initiatives taken by the PITB in Education, Health and Governance sectors of Punjab.

Marvi Memon said that BISP was moving towards e-governance systems to monitor the entire field activities at the level of higher management of the organization across the country. The parties identified major issues and discussed their possible solutions. Moreover, feedback from the beneficiaries was also sought to redress the grievances and complaints of the marginalized segments of the society.

Explaining the salient points of the monitoring mechanism, Dr. Umar Saif said that the PITB was already implementing Smart Phone, high-tech biometric system and PC Tablets to monitor the efficiency of government hospitals and schools in Punjab. Citizen Feedback Monitoring Program (CFMP) had been proved very effective in getting feedback from the common citizens coming to public offices resultantly reduced the ratio of corruption, misconduct, malpractices and bribery in government offices.

He assured that the PITB would play its due role as sought by Marvi Memon to improve the efficiency of BISP’s programs such as Poverty Alleviation, Health & Life Insurance, Education for All, Interest Free Loans and Vocational & Technical Training. Ms. Marvi Memon took keen interest in the e-Learn Punjab and Health Watch Program of PITB.

She added that the vision of the Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif is to make BISP ‘pride of Pakistan’ by improving its service delivery and products that give dignity and empowerment to the beneficiaries wherein PITB could play a vital role. She invited the participants to step forward for building a more inclusive state where everyone, including the poorest women and their children, has the opportunity to fulfill their potential and contribute to economic growth.

M. Salim Ranjha lauded the achievements of PITB by quoting coverage appeared in the Economist, NDTV and Fox TV. Dr. Umar Saif also presented a memento of Arfa IT Tower to the distinguished guest after the meeting.