Latest news with #MirGhulamAliTalpur
Express Tribune
03-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Digital banking pilot project delayed
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety has called for urgent reforms to ensure Pakistan's social protection system transitions to a fully transparent, technology-driven model with minimal human intervention. Chairing the 10th session of the Committee at Parliament House, Mir Ghulam Ali Talpur emphasised the original intent behind income support mechanismsreducing human interference to uphold dignity and ensure efficient, transparent disbursement of financial aid. He raised alarm over the country's rising poverty rate, now approaching 50 percent, and expressed dissatisfaction with persistent hardships faced by Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) beneficiaries at point-of-sale camps. The committee voiced concern over delays in launching the much-anticipated digital banking pilot project, initially slated for June. In response, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) assured that most backend systems are ready and procedural approvals are nearing completion. The pilot is now expected to launch by the end of July, with beneficiary accounts opening by August 15. Initially covering seven districts and Muzzafargarh, the pilot will integrate geotagged banking services, simplified account opening, and biometric verification. Debit cards will be issued only in cases where fingerprint authentication fails. The rollout will be followed by a six-month evaluation before a nationwide scale-up. To reduce congestion and enhance accessibility, SBP plans to expand ATM networks, introduce staggered payment distribution, and roll out digital wallets. API integration testing and two-factor authentication mechanisms are also in final stages. The committee members expressed concern over treatment of beneficiaries at banks and campsite branches. The Acting Governor SBP reiterated the banking sector's commitment to maintaining dignity, security, and full service access for all beneficiaries. The Committee also urged PTA integration of mobile data repositories to improve biometric reliability in remote areas. On the institutional front, BISP revealed that of the 3,486 sanctioned posts, only 2,347 are filled, with 1,858 regular staff. The Committee noted that heavy reliance on deputation staff undermines institutional sustainability and raises costs. The Finance Division clarified that recruitment falls under the Cabinet and Establishment Division, and must comply with IMF-imposed fiscal restrictions. The committee urged BISP to work closely with the relevant ministries to address the staffing shortfall and approved relocation of BISP offices to underserved tehsils like Munda and Balambat to improve outreach. The meeting concluded with a consensus to fast-track the digital pilot rollout while ensuring robust oversight, transparency, and protection of beneficiary rights. Those attended the meeting were MNAs Mir Ghulam Ali Talpur, Ahmad Ateeq Anwer, Aasia Ishaque Siddiqui, Mahtab Akbar Rashdi, Muhammad Bashir Khan, Jamshaid Ahmad, Misbah Uddin, Shahid Usman, Nawabzada Iftikhar Ahmed Khan Babar, Shafqat Abbas, Mohammad Ilyas Choudhary, Mir Khan Muhammad Jamali, and Aniqa Mehdi (virtually).
Express Tribune
28-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Call for urgent Baitul Mal reforms
The National Assembly's Standing Committee on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety has directed Pakistan Baitul Mal (PBM) to urgently revise its child labour stipend structure, accelerate the operationalisation of Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) centres and address critical service delivery gaps, as part of a wide-ranging review of welfare initiatives. The committee meeting, held at the PBM headquarters was presided over by Mir Ghulam Ali Talpur. The meeting assessed the implementation status of previous directives and expressed dissatisfaction over prolonged delays, especially the failure to operationalise BISP centres in Malam Bot Tehsil and other marginalized regions near the Pak-Afghan border in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The BISP officials informed the committee that their governing board has remained defunct since February 2025, stalling the establishment of new centers in 180 tehsils nationwide. The secretary of the Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division added that key approvals have been pending at the Prime Minister's Office since March 2025, further hampering progress. Responding to inquiries regarding internal promotions, PBM representatives clarified that such processes have been suspended under the federal government's ongoing rightsizing policy. The committee received a comprehensive briefing on PBM's extensive welfare mandate, encompassing healthcare, education, women empowerment, child welfare, elder care, and disability support. It was noted that financial aid eligibility remains strictly limited to individuals earning below the minimum wage threshold of Rs37,000 per month, excluding all public-sector employees.
Express Tribune
03-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
NA panel approves Zakat and Ushr bill
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Monday constituted a subcommittee to strengthen oversight of BISP's newly proposed payment disbursement model. The committee chaired by Mir Ghulam Ali Talpur, convened its meeting at the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) headquarters, to deliberate on key issues related to the social protection systems in the country. The subcommittee will monitor the implementation of the payment model to ensure transparency, efficiency, and fairness. MNA Ahmed Atteeq Anwar presented a comprehensive briefing on the subcommittee's previous findings, which were unanimously endorsed by the committee for their meticulous approach. The committee expressed concern over the unexplained absence of the Secretary of the Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division, directing that all future absences be formally communicated in writing well in advance. The committee also approved the Zakat and Ushr (Amendment) Bill 2025, presented by Shazia Marri, MNA, marking a significant legislative milestone to improve the distribution of Zakat funds. The Managing Director of Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM) briefed the committee on the organization's operational framework and upcoming nationwide awareness campaign. He announced a collaborative food distribution initiative with 33 private vendors and invited committee members to visit PBM's responsive call center. The BISP chairperson raised concerns about the lack of a dedicated BISP cadre and the staff shortage due to the government's recruitment ban since 2012, compelling the organization to rely heavily on deputationists. The committee directed the Secretary of BISP to submit a comprehensive staffing proposal to the government.
