Senate Panel Flags Hiring Flaws, Summons Partner NGOs

News Desk 

Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety has summoned NGOs working with the ministry and expressed serious concerns over staffing policies.

The committee also sought an explanation from the Finance Division regarding the restrictions preventing poverty alleviation departments from hiring staff on a contractual basis, despite the field-oriented nature of their operations requiring flexible workforce arrangements.

Chaired by Senator Sardar Al Haj Muhammad Umer Gorgaij, the committee met today in Islamabad to review a wide range of budgetary and regulatory matters concerning the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal.

The meeting was attended by Senators Rubina Qaim Khani, Abdul Shakoor Khan, Dost Ali Jeesar, and Jan Muhammad.

A 20 percent decrease in stunting among children in Balochistan was reported. The BISP Chairperson urged that all eligible children be registered under the same initiative. It was informed that any child scoring up to 60 would qualify for inclusion in the Benazir Nashonuma Programme.

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The committee was briefed that 80 BISP centers are currently operational across Balochistan. However, members noted that several offices are functioning from private accommodations, making it difficult for the public to locate them. The committee recommended that BISP centers be established in well-known, easily accessible locations.

The committee was further informed that a new Benazir Hunarmand Programme is set to be launched to equip citizens with employable skills. A recommendation was made to allocate Rs 1 billion for the implementation of this initiative.

The Chairman also recommended making appointments on a contract basis to facilitate local communities. However, Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal and BISP informed the committee that both departments are not permitted to make contractual appointments.

The BISP Chairperson explained that the organization’s work is field-oriented and includes gazetted posts, which are not required to be filled through contractual hiring.

It was noted that the committee’s earlier recommendation on this issue had already been forwarded to the Finance Division, but no action had been taken. The committee therefore decided to summon the Finance Division in its next meeting to examine the feasibility of allowing contractual appointments in both departments.

Members also recommended that lower-grade staff who have served for the past ten years should have their services regularized.

During the discussion on deputationists serving in Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal, it was revealed that four employees are currently working on deputation, all borrowed from the Education sector. The committee expressed concern over the practice of appointing staff on deputation from the Education and Health Departments and discouraged the continuation of this trend.

The Secretary PA&SS informed the committee that the PGP project is a $134.2 billion initiative covering 35 districts, including 12 districts in Balochistan. It was further shared that NRSP and NPGP offices are primarily operating in Sindh.

Members recommended summoning the relevant NGOs and attached departments to brief the committee on their performance and progress. It was noted that the NPGP project has concluded, while the PGP project, funded by the Islamic Development Bank, is set to commence.

BISP, the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), and Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal continue to contribute toward achieving SDG-1.