Social Safety Nets: Protecting Pakistan’s Vulnerable Segments

Fakhar-e-Alam

Peshawar: As Pakistan grapples with economic challenges, the country’s most vulnerable segments including laborers, farmers, women, children, elderly citizens, and people with disabilities have borne the brunt of increasing poverty and unemployment.

The burden of socioeconomic imbalances, compounded by the national debt crisis, has necessitated a robust response to protect and uplift these marginalized groups.

To address these challenges, the government and civil society organizations have turned to social safety nets, designed to buffer economic shocks, promote social inclusion, and foster equitable financial resource distribution.

Over the past few decades, Pakistan’s social protection landscape has evolved from emergency aid programs to comprehensive strategies aimed at alleviating multidimensional poverty and building resilience among vulnerable populations.

BISP: A Cornerstone of Social Protection

One of Pakistan’s flagship initiatives, the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), launched in 2008, has emerged as a cornerstone of poverty alleviation. Designed to provide direct financial support to the poorest households, particularly female-headed families, BISP has reduced poverty through quarterly stipends, offering much-needed relief to millions.

“BISP is a great blessing for millions of poor families like me,” said Jasehat Bibi, a housewife from Pabbi Nowshera, who suggested transitioning to bank account disbursements to save beneficiaries’ time.

The program continues to expand its scope. Recently, the Federal Government collaborated with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Karandaaz Pakistan to enhance efficiency and transparency through the RAAST payment system. The initiative also includes digital and financial literacy training programs, with a trial phase set to launch in mid-2025.

Other key components, such as the Benazir Kafalat, Taleemi Wazaif, and Nashonuma programs, focus on social security, education, and child nutrition.

Plans are underway to introduce the Hunarmand initiative, aimed at skill development for deserving women and their families, with a goal of extending support to 10 million beneficiaries by next year.

KP’s Social Safety Initiatives

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the government has amplified its efforts to create a safety net for its citizens. Minister for Social Welfare Syed Qasim Ali Shah highlighted plans to integrate life insurance into the Sehat Card program, with coverage ranging from Rs500,000 to Rs1 million for family heads.

Additionally, KP’s Adaptive Social Protection (APS) project, implemented with technical assistance from GIZ, aims to strengthen the province’s social protection system by improving sectoral linkages and integrating social protection into disaster management.

The initiative includes an Integrated Social Protection Information System, ensuring accurate and accessible data on welfare activities.

From March to December 2024 alone, the Sehat Card program disbursed a record Rs30.3 billion in healthcare benefits, reflecting its significance in providing universal health coverage.

The Way Forward

Despite notable achievements, challenges remain. According to Dr. Muhammad Naeem Khattak, former chairman of the Economics Department at Peshawar University, sustainable financing and better targeting of vulnerable populations are critical for long-term success.

“Investments in education, infrastructure, and digital inclusion are vital,” he emphasized, adding that financial aid programs must be accessible to rural populations without bureaucratic hurdles.

To maximize the impact of social safety nets, experts advocate for an integrated approach addressing both immediate needs and structural drivers of poverty.

With sustained commitment, improved governance, and a focus on long-term empowerment, Pakistan can create a more secure, equitable society where no one is left behind.