Minister Assured Support for Benazir Hunarmand Programme Expansion

Islamabad -- Caretaker Minister for Finance, Planning and Development Gilgit-Baltistan, Colonel (R) Abrar Ismail, has assured full support for the expansion and effective implementation of the Benazir Hunarmand Programme (BHP) in the region.

The assurance came during a meeting with Aoun Abbas Sahi, Training Specialist of BHP, who briefed the minister on the programme’s vision, design and objectives. He said the initiative aims to equip families benefiting from the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) with market-driven skills to enable sustainable livelihood opportunities.

The meeting discussed in detail the scope for expanding the programme in Gilgit-Baltistan and strategies to ensure its effective rollout. The minister appreciated the programme’s focus on poverty alleviation and expressed interest in promoting demand-driven, market-oriented skills training for BISP beneficiaries and their families.

Both sides agreed to strengthen collaboration to create sustainable economic opportunities and enhance human resource development in the region.