The Ehsaas Programme and the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) are two of Pakistan’s most significant social safety net initiatives, aimed at alleviating poverty and empowering vulnerable populations.
While both programs share the common goal of supporting low-income families, they differ in their structure, scope, and implementation strategies.
Ehsaas Programme: A Comprehensive Approach to Poverty Alleviation
Background and Objectives Launched in March 2019 by then-Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Ehsaas Programme represents Pakistan’s largest and most ambitious social protection initiative. It was designed to reduce inequality
invest in human capital, and uplift marginalized communities across the country. The program encompasses a wide array of initiatives targeting various aspects of poverty and social welfare.
Ehsaas Kafalat Provides unconditional cash transfers to the most deserving women across Pakistan, aiming to empower them financially.Ehsaas Emergency Cashntroduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, this initiative offered immediate financial assistance to those affected by the crisis, reaching over 13 million families.
Ehsaas Nashonuma Focuses on addressing stunting and malnutrition among children under two years of age by providing specialized nutritional support to mothers and children.
Ehsaas Amdan Aims to create livelihoods by providing assets and vocational training to the ultra-poor, enabling them to become self-sufficient.
5. Ehsaas Langar and Panagahs Establishes soup kitchens and shelter homes to provide free meals and accommodation to the homeless and laborers.Ehsaas Education Stipends Offers conditional cash transfers to encourage school enrollment and attendance among children from low-income families.
Impact and Recognition
The Ehsaas Programme has been lauded internationally for its comprehensive approach to poverty alleviation. The World Bank recognized the Ehsaas Emergency Cash initiative as one of the top global social protection measures during the pandemic.
By integrating various sectors such as health, education, and economic empowerment, Ehsaas aims to create a holistic welfare state model.([Tabadlab | Understanding Change
Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP): Empowering Women Through Financial Assistance
Background and Objectives Established in July 2008, BISP is Pakistan’s flagship social safety net program, named in honor of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. The program’s primary objective is to provide financial assistance to low-income families, with a particular focus on empowering women by directing cash transfers to female heads of households.
Unconditional Cash Transfers BISP provides regular financial assistance to eligible families, helping them meet basic needs and cope with economic shocks.Waseela-e-Taleem A conditional cash transfer program that incentivizes primary school enrollment and attendance among children from beneficiary families.
Waseela-e-SehatOffers health insurance coverage to BISP beneficiaries, aiming to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.Waseela-e-Rozgar Provides vocational training and skill development opportunities to enhance employability among the youth from low-income families.
As of recent reports, BISP has extended its support to over 5 million families across Pakistan, distributing substantial financial resources to alleviate poverty. By channeling funds directly to women
the program not only addresses immediate financial needs but also promotes gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Comparative Analysis: Ehsaas Programme vs. BISP
Challenges and the Way Forward While both programs have made significant strides in poverty alleviation, they face challenges such as Targeting and Inclusion Ensuring that the most deserving individuals are accurately identified and included in the programs.
Sustainability Maintaining consistent funding and political support to ensure the longevity of the programs.Monitoring and Evaluation Implementing robust systems to assess the impact and efficiency of the initiatives.
To enhance their effectiveness, it is crucial to:Leverage Technology Utilize digital platforms for beneficiary identification, fund disbursement, and feedback collection.Promote Transparency Ensure open communication about program criteria, processes, and outcomes to build public trust.
Foster Collaboration Engage with international organizations, NGOs, and the private sector to pool resources and expertise
The Ehsaas Programme and the Benazir Income Support Programme represent Pakistan’s commitment to social welfare and poverty reduction
