Latest news with #BenazirIncomeSupportProgram
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Nationwide poverty explosion: PIDE challenges widely circulated narrative
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), while debunking the claims regarding a sharp increase in poverty in the country has clarified the situation, saying the rise in poverty statistics is primarily due to global metric recalibration rather than a sudden economic collapse. The Economic Think Tank with its latest report titled, 'The Poverty Illusion: When Numbers Distort Reality' has challenged the widely circulated narrative of a nationwide poverty explosion. The report, authored by Dr Nasir Iqbal, PIDE's registrar and associate professor, critically examines the World Bank's revised global poverty lines. The new $4.20 per day threshold, replacing the previous $3.20, has led to an increase in poverty statistics from 39.8 percent to 44.7percent. However, Dr Iqbal points out that more than 80percent of this increase is the result of shifting global poverty benchmarks, not a collapse in household conditions. Inflation and other factors account for just 18percent of the increase. As per the report, the extreme poverty, measured at $3 per day, has soared from 4.9 percent to 16.5 percent. The sharp uptick in poverty rates is largely the result of the World Bank's upward revision of global poverty lines. For lower-middle-income countries like Pakistan, the general poverty threshold has been increased from $3.20 to $4.20 per day. Likewise, the extreme poverty line has been revised upward from $2.15 to $3 per day. These changes represent a substantial recalibration of the baseline used to assess poverty. When the bar is raised, more people fall below it — not because their lives have deteriorated, but because the measurement standard has shifted. Dr Nadeem Javaid, vice chancellor (VC) of PIDE and member of the Planning Commission of Pakistan, stated, 'Policymaking must be grounded in facts, not fear. These revised figures reflect changes in how poverty is measured globally, not a dramatic decline in the livelihoods of Pakistanis.' Key insights from PIDE's analysis include the strength of the informal economy, which supports over 60 percent of Pakistan's workforce, absorbing economic shocks and offering resilience during crises. Social protection programmes such as the Ehsaas Programme and the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) have played significant roles in mitigating poverty. Additionally, remittances from overseas Pakistanis continue to provide vital support, cushioning households and bolstering the economy during times of distress. Even amid major economic shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2022 floods, PIDE estimates the poverty rate in 2025 to be between 23 percent and 25 percent, with food-based poverty pegged at just 6.2 percent, signalling consistent, long-term improvement. In light of these findings, PIDE has proposed a series of actions to address poverty with a data-driven approach. These include reinstating the Household Integrated Economic Survey (HIES) to update data, refining BISP to link cash transfers with measurable outcomes like education, employment, and asset growth, and developing a National Poverty Reduction Strategy integrated with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to ensure inclusive economic reforms. Additionally, PIDE calls for leveraging the informal economy through the creation of Village Economic Zones (VEZs) to boost rural employment and productivity via local value chains and agri-tech innovations. The VC PIDE emphasised, 'This is not a time for panic, but for rational, evidence-based policymaking that can turn perceived crises into opportunities for structural economic reform.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
23-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Bilawal condemns US attack on Iran, warns India over IWT breach
Listen to article Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Monday that Pakistan would consider war if India refused to honour the Indus Waters Treaty, while condemning recent US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, calling them "based on lies," Express News reported. Addressing the National Assembly during the ongoing budget session, Bilawal said the attacks on Iran's nuclear sites and the targeting of scientists and journalists were unjustified and violated international norms. He said his party was consulted on the budget this time, and some of its inputs had been incorporated into the budget. He appreciated the government for expressing consent to PPP's recommendations, including leaving the digital tax on services to the jurisdiction of the provinces and reducing the sales tax on solar panels from eighteen percent to ten percent. Bilawal expressed satisfaction over improvements in economic indicators, especially the reduction in inflation as a result of the government's policies. He commended the twenty percent increase in the budget of the Benazir Income Support Program. Read: India failed both militarily and diplomatically against Pakistan: Bilawal He demanded the declaration of an agricultural emergency, saying that it would provide relief to farmers and protect the economy's backbone. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari mentioned that the defence budget had been enhanced by twenty percent because of India's hostile posture. He said Pakistan had once again internationalized the Kashmir dispute. Referring to the visit of a high-level delegation led by him to various capitals, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said Pakistan had defeated India on the battlefield, as well as on the diplomatic and narrative fronts. He said they presented Pakistan's stance and narrative based on peace. He said India had only two options: either to comply with the Indus Water Treaty, or Pakistan would wage a war to secure water from all six rivers. He added that such actions were part of a broader pattern of aggression that started with Gaza, continued in Yemen, and has now reached Iran. Read More: 'No military solution to Pak-India disputes' He warned, 'If India does not respect the Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan will go to war,' stressing that India has already lost and Pakistan has already won on the diplomatic and political fronts. Tension between Pakistan and India began on April 22, when an attack in Pahalgam killed 26 people. India blamed Pakistan for the incident. However, Pakistan categorically rejected the Indian blame. In response, India undertook a series of hostile actions the next day on April 23, including suspending the 65-year-old Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), cancelling visas for Pakistani citizens, closing the Wagah-Attari border crossing, ordering the shutdown of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, and reducing diplomatic staff at each other's embassies. Criticising previous Pakistani leadership for what he described as weak responses to Indian actions in Kashmir, Bilawal said the current government had demonstrated resolve by downing six Indian fighter jets in response to Indian incursions, asserting that the issue of Kashmir had been internationalised once again. He further alleged that both Indian and Israeli lobbies were actively working to malign Pakistan globally, including attempts to place the country back on the FATF grey list — efforts he said had failed. Bilawal called for peace between Pakistan and India but underlined the need for military preparedness, citing India's refusal to officially acknowledge the ceasefire. He praised the increase in Pakistan's defence budget and supported funding for non-controversial dams, while advocating for reduced taxes on solar energy and increased social support through the Benazir Income Support Programme. Responding to opposition heckling, Bilawal said his party, though not in the federal cabinet, remained committed to representing the people's concerns and bringing constructive criticism and proposals to the table.
Express Tribune
07-05-2025
- Express Tribune
BISP director acts on illegal deductions complaints
Following numerous complaints of illegal deductions from Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) payments to eligible women, the Director of BISP Thatta district, Jaffar Hussain Panhwar, conducted surprise inspections of distribution centers, including in Makli. During the operation, authorities blocked over six devices used by individuals involved in these illegal deductions. Speaking to the media, Director Panhwar stated that the government has disbursed Rs13,500 each to over 80,000 deserving women in the district, establishing various distribution points for easy access to funds.
Business Recorder
30-04-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Energy poverty and flawed subsidy mechanism
Energy poverty is a critical challenge that leaves millions of households unable to secure essential services such as cooking, heating, cooling, and lighting at an affordable cost. While global discussions on energy access have intensified, Pakistan remains far behind, struggling not only with affordability but also with the fundamental issue of access. According to the European Commission Advisory Hub, energy poverty rates in Europe surged from 6.9% in 2021 to 10.6% in 2023, meaning over one in ten households now struggles to meet basic energy needs. If these figures are alarming for developed nations, the situation in Pakistan is even more dire. Beyond affordability, Pakistan lacks accurate data on electricity and clean cooking fuel access, making it difficult to design effective interventions. Pakistan's energy subsidy framework is deeply flawed, as it benefits only those connected to the main grid, either electricity or gas, while completely neglecting millions living in off-grid areas. The current model is akin to defining poverty solely by income, overlooking those with no income at all. This creates a huge gap in support. It is like trying to fight poverty by only helping people who already have some money, and forgetting about those who have nothing at all. This limited approach keeps inequality alive and fails to solve the real problem, making sure everyone, no matter where they live, has access to affordable and reliable energy. In remote areas disconnected from the SSGC/SNGPL network, households rely on expensive LPG or wood for cooking, often spending more than urban consumers who have greater affordability. Yet, subsidy structures ignore this disparity, reinforcing energy poverty rather than alleviating it. Several well-intentioned experts have proposed linking energy subsidies to the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), assuming that energy poverty and income poverty are interchangeable. However, energy poverty is not just about financial constraints; it is about access, consumption patterns, and regional climatic differences. Treating energy poverty as a mere extension of income disparity risks further alienating vulnerable communities rather than empowering them. Instead, policymakers must recognize that tackling energy poverty requires a multi-sectoral approach, integrating social policies rather than relying solely on energy policies. Ensuring affordable energy access is crucial, but sustainable solutions demand collaboration across housing, infrastructure, and finance sectors. This means improving living conditions through better building insulation, expanding public transportation that relies on clean energy, offering financial support for energy-efficient appliances, and designing inclusive housing and utility subsidy programs. True energy security is not just about the supply of electricity; it is about empowering communities with the tools and support to access, afford, and benefit from it. Without addressing these interconnected sectors, efforts to eliminate energy poverty will remain fragmented and ineffective. Energy poverty stems from a complex interplay of factors, including high energy costs relative to household income. The rising cost of living, stagnant wages, and inflation in essential goods have exacerbated the crisis. Vulnerable groups, including unemployed individuals, pensioners, and single-parent families, face disproportionate financial strain. Additionally, poor energy efficiency compounds the problem. Most buildings in Pakistan are energy-inefficient, leading to excessive energy consumption for heating and cooling. Many low-income households reside in outdated structures with inadequate insulation and inefficient appliances, making energy-saving measures nearly impossible. Despite global advancements, Pakistan faces several barriers to overcoming energy poverty: Short-term vs. Long-term Interventions: While direct subsidies offer immediate relief, they fail to address structural inefficiencies in energy systems and infrastructure. Limited Access to Subsidies: Many vulnerable households are unaware of available support or face bureaucratic challenges in accessing aid. Policy Fragmen-tation: Incoherent policies across provinces hinder the implementation of effective solutions tailored to local conditions. Tackling energy poverty requires a dual approach; offering immediate relief while investing in long-term solutions. Financial aid, such as targeted subsidies and social tariffs (A social tariff is a subsidized pricing mechanism where certain eligible consumers, such as those with limited income, the elderly, or other marginalized groups, pay reduced rates for basic utility services.), is essential for short-term support. However, without investments in new infrastructure for accessibility and energy efficiency, home insulation, modern cooling and heating systems, and efficient appliances, energy costs will remain unsustainable. A just energy transition must also include policies that provide alternatives to utility disconnections, ensuring that struggling households retain access to essential energy services. Consumer awareness programs and tailored advice can enhance the adoption of energy-saving measures. While addressing energy poverty is critical, the goal must go beyond just alleviating hardship, it is about building energy equity, where every household has fair, reliable, and affordable access to clean energy. Energy equity, ensuring the fair distribution of resources and subsidies, is just as crucial as addressing energy poverty. Without equity-focused policies, subsidies will continue benefiting grid-connected, wealthier households, leaving marginalized communities to bear the brunt of high tariffs and inefficient supply chains. A national energy equity framework should guide policies to ensure clean, affordable, and reliable energy access for all, particularly underserved communities. This framework must prioritize inclusive decision-making, equitable resource distribution, and community-driven initiatives. Addressing energy poverty without focusing on energy equity will yield limited progress. Pakistan must first define energy poverty, conduct thorough research, and design a proper subsidy framework aligned with energy equity principles. Only by integrating these elements into long-term policies can Pakistan ensure universal access to clean and affordable energy, not as a privilege, but as a fundamental right. (Engineer Abubakar Ismail is an expert in the energy sector. With a passion for energy, sustainability, and emerging technologies. He can be approached at [email protected]. Muhammad Kamil Qaddus is an EDF Climate Corps fellow and an energy policy practitioner. He can be reached at [email protected]) Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
20-04-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
K-P govt adds major transplants in Sehat Card programme
Listen to article The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has decided to include the treatment of three major transplant procedures — kidney, liver, and bone marrow — under its Sehat Card Plus programme. Additionally, the cost of cochlear implants will also be fully covered by the government. The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Minister of K-P. Provincial Information Adviser Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif said the government would now provide transplant and implant services completely free of cost, marking a major expansion of the health insurance scheme. 'This is another revolutionary step in line with the founding chairman's vision,' stated Barrister Saif, referring to the PTI's healthcare reforms. He added that services under this programme would be accessible to eligible citizens without any financial burden. The provincial health department has been instructed to implement these changes immediately. The government also plans to soon include rehabilitation services for drug-addicted individuals under the Sehat Card. In a parallel development, the K-P government approved regulations allowing the use of cannabis plants for medical, research, and industrial purposes. Earlier, K-P government launched free Outpatient Department (OPD) services under the Sehat Card Plus scheme. The initiative was officially inaugurated by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur during a ceremony held at the Chief Minister House. The OPD scheme began as a pilot project in the Mardan district, where it was initially rolled out to benefit 50,000 deserving households. The project was expected to expand in the second phase to Chitral, Malakand, and Kohat districts, eventually reaching around 120,000 deserving households in these areas, based on data from the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP).
