Islamabad: MNN
The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Food Programme (WFP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and UNICEF to extend their partnership under the Benazir Nashonuma Programme for another three years.
Under the agreement, an additional 3.3 million pregnant and breastfeeding women and children under the age of two across Pakistan will receive nutritional support to help prevent malnutrition and improve maternal and child health outcomes.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, BISP Chairperson Senator Rubina Khalid said that linking social protection with nutrition, healthcare, and development partnerships can bring meaningful and lasting improvements to the lives of mothers and children. She described the Benazir Nashonuma Programme as a continuation of the vision of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.
Senator Rubina Khalid said the agreement reflects Pakistan’s renewed commitment to ensuring every child has the opportunity to grow up healthy and build a brighter future. She added that, with the continued support of development partners, the programme’s outreach and impact will be further expanded.
Highlighting the programme’s achievements, she said the prevalence of stunting among children up to six months of age has declined by 22 percent under the Benazir Nashonuma Programme.
She further stated that the programme currently operates 578 facilitation centres and 224 Nutrition Stabilization Centres across the country. So far, 4.7 million beneficiaries have received support, and the latest expansion is expected to increase the total number of beneficiaries to 8 million.
The ceremony was also attended by WFP Country Director Anita Hirsh, WHO Representative Dr. Luo Dapeng, and UNICEF Deputy Representative Sharmeela Rasool, who reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening maternal and child nutrition and health in Pakistan.
