Islamabad, June 21, 2025 — In a major development under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), President Asif Ali Zardari has officially launched the Benazir Hunarmand Program (BHP). This historic initiative, unveiled on Benazir Bhutto’s birth anniversary, shifts BISP’s focus from cash handouts to skill development, aiming to create a self-reliant and skilled workforce in Pakistan.
🔹 What Is the Benazir Hunarmand Program?
The Benazir Hunarmand Program is a new initiative under 8171 BISP that provides advanced vocational training to youth, women, and the families of BISP beneficiaries. The goal is to help them secure better employment opportunities both locally and abroad.
The program focuses on:
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Computer technology
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Foreign languages like German and Chinese
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Healthcare and nursing skills
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Modern technical trades for global competitiveness
🔹 Launch Ceremony Highlights
The official launch event was held at Aiwan-e-Sadr, where President Zardari emphasized the importance of empowering youth through skills rather than aid.
“We empowered millions through BISP. Now, we’re giving them tools to thrive through the Benazir Hunarmand Program,” he said.
Dignitaries present included:
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Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan
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First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari
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Senators, federal ministers, and foreign ambassadors
🔹 Focus Areas: Global Skills for Local Empowerment
President Zardari underlined that the new program is designed to equip the next generation for both domestic needs and international job markets. He stressed the importance of:
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High-standard nursing training
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Digital skills and coding
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Language proficiency
“We want children of laborers to earn with dignity and contribute to the economy,” he added.
🔹 Why This Program Matters
Senator Rubina Khalid praised the launch, stating that the BHP adds strength to existing BISP programs like:
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Benazir Kafalat
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Taleemi Wazaif
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Undergraduate Scholarships
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Nashonuma for mother-child health
She noted that skill development is the true path to long-term economic uplift.
“Financial aid helps in the short term. But skills create sustainable futures,” she said.
🔹 Key Objectives of BHP
✅ Transform financial aid recipients into skilled workers
✅ Create opportunities for women empowerment
✅ Develop a workforce ready for global job demands
✅ Reduce unemployment and promote self-reliance
🔹 Conclusion:
The Benazir Hunarmand Program marks a new chapter in Pakistan’s social welfare strategy. Instead of short-term relief, it focuses on training, dignity, and empowerment—continuing the legacy of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto.
With free vocational training in high-demand fields, the program offers a clear path to economic independence and a better future for youth and families across Pakistan.