ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari launched the Benazir Skilled Program at a ceremony held at the President’s House. He stated that the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) is benefiting millions of families, providing children with education and all their rights, which was the philosophy of Pakistan Peoples Party’s founder, Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, and the mission of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, which they are continuing to uphold. He expressed these views while addressing the launch ceremony of the Benazir Skilled Program at the President’s House on Saturday.  

 

The event was attended by First Lady Asifa Bhutto Zardari, Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan, federal ministers, members of parliament, BISP Chairperson Senator Rubina Khalid, foreign ambassadors, and other dignitaries. On this occasion, the President formally launched the Benazir Skilled Program alongside the First Lady.  

 

President Zardari emphasized the need to transfer modern technology to the people so that the children of laborers can learn skills to support their families and serve the nation. He stated that the Pakistan Peoples Party aims to empower ordinary people under its vision. Through the Benazir Skilled Program, German and Chinese languages will also be taught. He also mentioned financial assistance for nursing trainees in Sindh.  

 

The President recalled that when BISP was launched in 2008, the then Finance Minister Syed Naveed Qamar played a key role in its implementation, for which he commended him. Today, millions of families are benefiting from this program. Under BISP, children are being provided with all their rights, including education. The PPP seeks to empower the common people under its vision. The children of workers will be taught modern education and skills like computer technology so they can support their families and serve the nation.  

 

President Zardari noted that there is a demand for skilled labor abroad, and Pakistani-trained nurses can earn respectable livelihoods in dignified fields like nursing. To achieve this, high training standards must be established in the nursing sector, incorporating global benchmarks.  

 

Earlier, BISP Chairperson Senator Rubina Khalid, while addressing the ceremony, stated that the Benazir Skilled Program fulfills a promise. Through this program, the future of the youth will be secured as they will be taught modern skills. She said that the promise of empowering the youth was made by Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, and today they are happy to fulfill it.  

 

She added that strengthening the people and providing them facilities was the vision of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. The PPP launched BISP in 2008, through which deserving women were financially stabilized with dignity. Asifa Bhutto Zardari is carrying forward the vision of her martyred mother, and her involvement in the program is not only a matter of pride but also historic.  

 

Under BISP, millions of families are being supported. During the 2022 floods and COVID-19, aid was provided to the deserving through this program. BISP is not just a program but has now become a global model. It is a message of hope for women and youth in a rapidly changing world, a movement, and a war against poverty. Senator Rubina Khalid also thanked the German government for its support of BISP.  

 

BISP Secretary General Amir Ali Ahmed also addressed the ceremony, stating that BISP has played a vital role in poverty alleviation and is working for the welfare of women in society. He said BISP has now become a global program. For the next fiscal year, 716 billion rupees have been allocated for BISP, which has been internationally praised. He welcomed the launch of the Benazir Skilled Program, which will teach modern, in-demand skills.  

 

On this occasion, the President, along with the guests, also cut a cake to celebrate the birthday of former Prime Minister Shaheed Benazir Bhutto.