Lahore (MNN):
The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and the Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at equipping deserving and underprivileged individuals in Punjab—particularly women and youth—with market-driven technical and vocational skills under the Benazir Hunarmand Programme.
The signing ceremony was held at the PSDF Head Office in Lahore. The BISP delegation included DG CII Syeda Adeela Bukhari, DG Punjab Haider Murtaza, Deputy Director (NSER Punjab) Roheena Iqbal, Focal Person for the Benazir Hunarmand Programme Humaira Farooq, and Regional Outreach Coordinator (Punjab) Nayab Jan.
Representing PSDF were Chief Executive Officer Ahmad Khan, Manager Programme Design Ammara Zeeshan, Jafar Ali, and the Programme Design Specialist.
Under the partnership, BISP will facilitate the identification and registration of eligible beneficiaries through its regional offices and the National Socio-Economic Registry (NSER). In addition, eligible applicants will be able to register independently through the Benazir Hunarmand Portal.
PSDF will be responsible for delivering industry-relevant training, providing learning materials and stipends, and awarding certifications accredited by the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) and aligned with the Higher Education Commission’s National Vocational Qualifications Framework (NVQF).
The collaboration is designed to move beneficiaries beyond social protection by enhancing their employability and creating pathways to dignified and sustainable livelihoods through quality skills development.
