ISLAMABAD, Oct 28 (APP):Chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Senator Rubina Khalid in a meeting with the Executive Director of SZABIST ZABTech, Waheed Mahesar discussed a pilot project to provide vocational training to 50 women from BISP beneficiary families in Karachi and Shaheed Benazirabad.
The pilot is being undertaken on the direction of First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, reflecting her commitment to women’s economic empowerment. Under the initiative, 25 women from each district will receive three months of market-oriented technical and vocational training to improve their employability and create opportunities for self-employment.
Senator Rubina Khalid appreciated the First Lady’s continued support for BISP, particularly the Benazir Hunarmand Programme (BHP), which aims to complement social protection with skills development and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
She said the initiative reflected the First Lady’s commitment to translating women’s empowerment into practical action.
The training will cover market-relevant trades, including hospitality, IT and digital skills, beauty services, stitching, handicrafts, mobile phone repair, solar technology and entrepreneurship. Participants will receive a monthly stipend to help cover transportation costs and toolkits upon successful completion. Post-training support will help connect graduates with employment and self-employment opportunities.
SZABIST ZABTech representatives appreciated BISP’s Benazir Hunarmand Programme and expressed interest in developing a long-term partnership with BISP to expand skills training for beneficiary families. Both sides expressed hope that the pilot would pave the way for wider collaboration.
The meeting was attended by Dr Asim Ijaz, Director General, Conditional Cash Transfers, BISP; Humaira Farooq, Focal Person BHP, Aoun Sahi, Training Specialist BHP and Arshma Shah, Programme Manager, SZABIST ZABTech.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
