News

April 12, 2021 – Islamabad: Ehsaas Kafaalat payments to beneficiaries have commenced throughout the country. Ehsaas has set up over 1600 payment camps nationwide, starting this week. Each beneficiary is being paid Rs. 12,000 covering the period January 2021 -June 2021. Combined payment for 6 months is being made. Women are collecting cash from especially set up payment camps. Payments are being made in camps so that COVID-19 SOPS can be followed there. In addition, payments can also be collected from biometrically enabled ATMs of Habib Bank in Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and Islamabad, and from those of Bank Alfalah in KP, AJK and GB.

April 11, 2021 – Islamabad: Prime Minister Imran Khan announced the expansion of the Ehsaas Koi Bhooka Na Soye (EKBNS) programme to three major cities of Punjab and KP before the month of Ramadan. The upscaled EKBNS programme will serve free meals to labourers, daily wage earners and piece rate workers who cannot access Ehsaas Panagahs and Ehsaas Langars. Through a virtual groundbreaking ceremony, PM was joined by the Chief Ministers of KP, and Punjab together with Parliamentarians to inaugurate the EKBNS free food service via multiple truck kitchens in Peshawar, Lahore and Faisalabad. Each truck will feed 1500-2000 people daily on specified service points. The meals are cooked, stored and served from a truck kitchen.

April 9, 2021 – Islamabad: Dr. Sania Nishtar was called on by Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Dr. Reza Baqir in Islamabad. The meeting discussed progress with regard to the planning and execution of the targeted commodity subsidy programme under the umbrella of Ehsaas. This was the second meeting in the month of April to flesh out modalities of the forthcoming programme.

April 9, 2021- Islamabad: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar convened a meeting with Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) to explore options for the potential street hawkers’ initiative under the Ehsaas framework. The meeting took place physically as well as virtually at the Ehsaas offices in Islamabad. At the meeting, Muhammad Ali Shahzada, Secretary of the Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division; Syeda Shafaq Hashmi, Administrator MCI and Zia Banday, Focal Person on the Street Hawkers’ Initiative were also present.

Apr 8, 2021 – Islamabad: In a special launching event, Dr. Sania Nishtar unveiled the new Ehsaas’ standards for private sector orphanages. This is the first time not just in Pakistan but also across the Muslim World that such a historic initiative has been taken by the government for the welfare of orphans and deserving children. The aim is to minimize variation in the orphan care and to support private sector orphanages in raising their service standards nationwide. Predicated under the policy no. 37 of Ehsaas strategy, the 25-point living standards have been tailored to needs of orphan care centers. A stakeholder committee had been put in place under the umbrella of Ehsaas by Dr. Nishtar in 2019 to stipulate “Living Standards for Orphanages and Child Care Centers” in the country. The committee formally met 17 times last year, and after taking stock of the on-ground situation, finalized these standards which will now be notified and shared with provinces for endorsement. Full document can be accessed here.

Apr 7, 2021 – Rawalpindi: To commemorate the World Health Day 2021, Dr. Sania Nishtar visited the Ehsaas Facilitation Center in Holy Family Hospital (HFH), Rawalpindi to appraise operations of the Ehsaas Tahafuz that is currently in its pilot phase. During the course of the quick appraisal visit, Dr. Sania held a meeting with Ehsaas Tahafuz’s technical team of medical experts, hospital administrators and programme verifiers, took stock of the progress and gained firsthand insights for programme expansion later this year.  At the venue, Dr. Sania was welcomed by Dr. Shazia Zeb Medical Superintendent of HFH and her team. Alongside, Muhammad Ali Shahzada, Secretary Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division (PASSD) and other senior officials from Ehsaas Tahafuz team were also in attendance. Currently, the programme is patient centric and caters to one-time high health costs for those who lack ability to bear the heavy expenditures.

April 5, 2021: At the World Bank-International Monetary Fund annual spring meetings 2021, a webinar was held titled, ‘the IMF’s Engagement on Social Protection’, wherein SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar was invited to present Pakistan’s perspective on bolstering social safety nets. The event aimed to showcase the IMF, development partners, the WBG and member countries’ efforts to implement more effective social protection programs, strengthen social safety nets, and protect the most vulnerable from economic shocks and the potential adverse effects of reforms. Addressing the meeting, Dr. Nishtar highlighted Pakistan’s social protection policy initiatives- the aspiration and challenges and how the government of Pakistan demonstrated commitment to addressing them. Along with Dr. Nishtar, Roger Nord, Deputy Director Institute for Capacity Development, IMF; Antoinette Sayeh, Deputy Managing Director, IMF; Fernanda Brollo, Senior Economist, IMF; Brooks Evans, Economist, IMF; and Tanja Goodwin, Senior Country Economist, World Bank Group came to the table to launch a Capacity Development Talk on the IMF’s engagement on social protection, with a particular focus on Pakistan and Ecuador.

April 4, 2021 – Rawalpindi: Dr. Sania Nishtar visited ‘Ehsaas Koi Bhooka Na Soye'(EKBNS) food distribution point in Murree Road, Rawalpindi to review truck kitchen operations. At the venue, she inspected the quality of food and service and interacted with beneficiary men and women being served. Under the umbrella of Ehsaas, the concept of truck kitchens, EKBNS was launched by the Prime Minister on March 10, 2021 to serve free meal boxes twice a day to daily wage earners in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. On special instructions of PM, the programme is now being expanded to three other cities before the holy month of Ramadan. Across Lahore, Faisalabad and Peshawar, EKBNS mobile trucks carrying cooked food will visit the localities of labourers and hospitals to distribute free meals.

April 3, 2021 – Islamabad: With SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar in chair, the board approved the first of its kind Ehsaas’ secondary education conditional cash transfer (CCT) programme for deserving households to send their children to secondary schools. The programme will be rolled out nationwide across all districts in July 2021. The new programme has been structured along the lines of Ehsaas Stipends policy that allocates higher stipend amount for girls as compared to boys. This policy decision by the BISP board is an extension of Ehsaas’ primary education CCT, Waseela-e-Taleem Digital, expanding it to the secondary level.

April 3, 2021 – Islamabad: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar keynoted a panel discussion titled ‘Sustainable Development: Inequality and Inclusive Growth’ that took place amongst UNDP Pakistan Resident Representative Knut Ostby, IBA Executive Director Dr. S. Akbar Zaidi, and SAPM on Revenue Dr. Waqar Masood. Speaking at the panel, Dr. Sania briefed about Pakistan’s social protection landscape, the role of the Ehsaas Programme, and some of the challenges that were addressed along the way. Further, she remarked that the programme was linked with the theory of change. She mentioned that digital capabilities established in 2019 as part of Ehsaas’ poverty alleviation framework were adopted to deliver Ehsaas emergency cash during the pandemic, in particular, a new biometric payment system.

April 2, 2021 – Islamabad: Special Assistant to the PM on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation Dr. Sania Nishtar, Federal Minister for Industries and Production Muhammad Hammad Azhar and Dr. Ishrat Hussain Advisor to PM for Institutional Reforms and Austerity came to the table to discuss the modalities of Ehsaas’ targeted commodity subsidy programme. Aiming to benefit the disadvantaged populations, the federal government is introducing targeted subsidies for Ehsaas beneficiaries through IT integration between Ehsaas and Utility Stores Corporation of Pakistan.

Apr 2, 2021- Islamabad: Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Dr. Reza Baqir  called on Dr. Sania Nishtar at Ehsaas offices in Islamabad. The meeting discussed progress with respect to the planning of the upcoming Ehsaas’ targeted commodity subsidy initiative.

Apr 1, 2021: Dr. Sania Nishtar joined the high-level ministerial roundtable with Ministers from around the world as part of expert panel on “Financing SDG2: Addressing Hunger and Malnutrition in the wake of COVID-19”. The roundtable took place virtually at the World Bank Headquarters, during the World Bank Annual Meeting. Speaking in the panel, Dr. Sania outlined Pakistan’s current approach to malnutrition using the Ehsaas’ social protection lens. The expert panel brought together SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar and Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Minister of Finance, Indonesia; Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana, Minister of Finance, Rwanda; Karina Gould, Minister for International Development, Canada; Dag-Inge Ulstein, Minister for International Development, Norway; Norbert Barthle, Parliamentary State Secretary, Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany; and Atsushi Mimura, Deputy Director-General of the International Bureau, Ministry of Finance, Japan.

April 1, 2021 – Islamabad: The meeting of the Risk Management and Assurance Committee of the BISP board took place at BISP headquarters in Islamabad. The meeting was presided by SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar. This was the fifth meeting of the committee under the umbrella of Ehsaas. The members of the board committee joined both physically and virtually.

March 31, 2021 – Islamabad: The Trust for Voluntary Organisations (TVO) convened its 138^th board meeting under the umbrella of Ehsaas. Before the meeting, Dr. Sania Nishtar visited TVO and spoke to board members and management. Being one of the executing agencies of Ehsaas, TVO has been revitalized under the Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division to execute initiatives under Ehsaas policy action number thirty-six. This policy action is specifically meant to run partnerships with NGOs to upscale successful programmes for the most marginalised segments. A 13-member Board of Directors governs the affairs of TVO. The Board consists of three ex-officio members i.e., representatives of the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division, Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economic Affairs Division. Also included in the board are 10 individuals from the private sector who have distinguished themselves in any field of endeavour.

March 29, 2021 – Islamabad: SAPM Dr. Nishtar convened a virtual meeting with UNDP Pakistan to discuss options for more deeper collaborations between Ehsaas and UNDP Pakistan. From the UNDP side, Knut Ostby, Resident Representative; Aliona Niculita, Deputy Representative and Ammara Durrani, Assistant Resident Representative, Development Policy Unit came to the table. Additional Secretary Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division was also present.

March 29, 2021 – Islamabad: At the Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division, a meeting was held between SAPM Dr. Sania and SAPM on Establishment Shehzad Arbab to discuss the progress of Ehsaas. Dr. Nishtar briefed Arbab about the progress of Ehsaas Delivery Unit and Ehsaas’ dashboards to evaluate performance and transparency of Ehsaas programme and it’s executing agencies.

March 28, 2021- Islamabad: To ascertain which mode of communication is most beneficial for Kafaalat beneficiaries, Ehsaas conducted a telephonic survey over the weekend. Results indicated that the most beneficial route of communication with Ehsaas Kafaalat beneficiaries is the 8171 SMS campaign. 87% of people attended the call, which was a good response rate. It was observed that in majority of cases, Ehsaas beneficiaries had access to phones in the house.

March 27, 2021 – Islamabad: Dr. Sania Nishtar launched The Human Security Institute (THSI) that is a think tank of National and International competence working for the cause of Human Security at all cadres. A wide array of stakeholders and practitioners, academicians, civil-military, bureaucrats, members of business community and civil society, federal ministers, and diplomats from friendly countries participated in the ceremony. Dr. Nishtar was invited as a special guest and chair of the panel discussion on ‘Importance of Human Security in 21st Century’.

March 25, 2021: At the high-level panel discussion convened by International Policy Center for Inclusive Growth (IPC-IG), ODI and GIZ, SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar presented a complementary policymaking viewpoint from Pakistan, based on her work overseeing large-scale social protection programme delivery during and prior to Covid-19 as the Special Assistant of the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection. The panel brought together leading international experts to discuss the findings emerging from the ODI-GiZ study and wider evidence to share policy learning on adaptive social protection to date. Along with SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar, panelists included Francesca Bastagli, Director Equity and Social Policy, and Principal Research Fellow, ODI; Bessie Msusa, Chief Economist in the Poverty Reduction and Social Protection Division at the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development, Malawi; Lynette Maart, National Director, Black Sash, South Africa; Ugo Gentilini, Global Lead Social Assistance, World Bank; and Armando Barrientos, Professor of Poverty and Social Justice at the Global Development Institute, Manchester University.

Islamabad – March 24, 2021: Dr. Sania Nishtar chaired a stocktake meeting for the Ehsaas Governance Observatory. The Governance Observatory was established in June 2020 to monitor adherence to the Ehsaas Governance and Integrity Policy, which was Cabinet approved in November 2019. Governance Observatory aims to review and improve governance systems and practices of all four executing agencies which are instrumental in implementing Ehsaas programs and initiatives. The purpose is to build systems that strongly discourage corruption, and to promote efficiency, transparency and accountability for results and compliance with rules. All four executing agencies of Ehsaas including BISP, PPAF, Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal and TVO came to the table together with Secretary Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division (PASSD), Additional Secretary PASSD, and officials from Ehsaas Delivery Unit. Speaking to the press, Dr. Nishtar said, “Today, a new metric was also included in the framework of the Governance Observatory. We took a decision that no Ehsaas implementing agency will be allowed to get a post-facto approval on its budget.”

March 24, 2021-Islamabad: Dr. Sania Nishtar along with senior Ehsaas officials joined a consultative meeting on the ‘Re-launching of Direct Cash’ with Centre for Economic Research in Pakistan, London School of Economics and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The meeting discussed modalities for lump sum transfers, data on continuing and new eligible beneficiaries of various districts who are eligible for the graduation offer and relevant policy details.

March 22, 2021- Islamabad: Dr. Sania Nishtar was invited to speak on “Human and Food Security, Population Bulge & Poverty Alleviation in Pakistan”, at the National Security Workshop organized by Institute for Strategic Studies Research & Analysis (ISSRA), National Defence University (NDU). The workshop aimed to discuss and comprehend the dynamics of National Security of Pakistan. Participants of National Security Workshop included parliamentarians, senior civil and military officials, and prominent members from civil society.

Mar 22, 2021 – Islamabad: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar made a visit to G-11 Markaz in Islamabad to interact with street vendors. The visit aimed to review street hawkers’ economy first hand and to realize the positive role and potential of street vendors in supporting poverty alleviation efforts. During the visit, street vendors informed Dr. Nishtar about various operational issues being faced by them in the market. Syeda Shafaq Hashmi, Administrator Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad and Zia Banday, Focal Person Street Vendors’ Initiative were also present on the occasion. To improve the operating environment for street vendors through multi-stakeholder engagement, Ehsaas is collaborating with Islamabad Municipality, CDA and Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE).

March 21, 2021- Kharmang: Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan Khalid Khursheed opened Ehsaas Nashonuma Centre in Kharmang district of Gilgit Baltistan. In the first phase of Ehsaas Nashonuma programme, 48 Nashonuma Centres are being opened in 13 districts of the country at the district and tehsil level health facilities. Ehsaas Nashonuma is a three-year programme that is fully funded by the federal government of Pakistan. The programme is pegged on improving nutrition and health in the first thousand days of life, that is the most critical period in early childhood development, starting at conception and finishing at age of two. Every quarter, conditional cash-transfers are being provided to the poorest pregnant and lactating mothers and children under two years; Rs. 1,500 for a boy child and mother, and Rs. 2,000 for a girl child.

Mar 20, 2021 -Brazil: A new report released by the International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth (IPC-IG) found that Pakistan’s innovative emergency cash programme helped avert an economic catastrophe during the COVID-19 pandemic. The report titled, “What’s next for social protection in light of COVID-19: country responses” focuses on experiences from countries in Asia, including Pakistan, sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and Latin America and the Caribbean. The deep dive into social protection responses to the COVID-19 crisis highlights Pakistan’s efforts to tackle poverty amidst the biggest global crisis in more than a century and provides overall lessons for the future including shock-responsive and universal social protection. The report analyses how the COVID-19 pandemic was a watershed period for Pakistan in terms of government functioning: making it more agile, data-driven, experimental, and ambitious. The full report is available for download here.

Mar 19, 2021 – Islamabad: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar spent an afternoon on site reviewing execution arrangements for the One-Window Ehsaas Physical Center. Senior officials and representatives from all Ehsaas executing and partnering agencies including BISP, Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund, Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal, Saylani Welfare International Trust, NADRA, HBL and Bank Alfalah were in attendance. All preparations are in final stages to soon open the first of its kind Ehsaas Center in Islamabad where all Ehsaas services will be available under one roof to facilitate the needy.

Mar 19, 2021 – Islamabad: Dr. Sania Nishtar and Federal Minister Muhammad Hammad Azhar visited Utility Store in G-9 Markaz, Islamabad to witness the deployment of Ehsaas targeted subsidy pilot with Ehsaas recipients. Ehsaas and Utility Stores Corporation have been working together to integrate their IT systems so that they can identify Ehsaas beneficiaries and deliver targeted commodity subsidy to them. This is in line with the government’s commitment to make subsidies targeted to benefit the disadvantaged.

March 19, 2021- Islamabad: Dr. Sania Nishtar chaired the steering committee meeting of Waseela-e-Taleem Digital wherein the committee members and experts took a decision to roll out an education stipend programme for secondary education under Ehsaas. Through engaging discussions, the meeting took stock of existing secondary stipend programmes in the country. It was discussed that the upcoming programme for secondary school stipends will be designed and executed in close coordination with provinces to avoid duplications. Currently, there are 18.7 million out of school children, in the age group 6 to 16, in the country. According to Demographic and Health Survey 2017 (Kaplan and Meier estimates), dropout rate is highest for the poorest two quintiles in secondary education. Hence Ehsaas is working on a financial access to secondary education programme.

March 18, 2021- Islamabad: Dr. Sania Nishtar spoke at the Islamabad Security Dialogue 2021 on, ‘Instituting a human security paradigm’ organized by the National Security Division. The dialogue provided a platform for critical thinking and robust intellectual discourse on some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing Pakistan and the wider region. Alongside Dr. Nishtar, other panelists were – SAPM on Health Dr. Faisal Sultan, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam and CEO Centre for Learning Law and Business Ihsan Ghani.

March 18, 2021 – Islamabad: The government has taken a fundamental decision that subsidies should be targeted to benefit the poor rather than being untargeted. Previously, untargeted subsidy programmes contributed to increase in inequality. Under the untargeted subsidies, the benefits were enjoyed indiscriminately by both rich and poor. Hence, targeted subsidy programmes are more effective, as the benefit of subsidies flows exclusively to those in need. Currently, the federal government is introducing targeted subsidies for Ehsaas beneficiaries through IT integration between Ehsaas and Utility Stores Corporation of Pakistan (USC). Dr. Sania Nishtar visited the USC Headquarters and reviewed the final status of integration. Detailing in a press statement, Dr. Nishtar said, “I am very happy to see that the Information Technology teams of both USC and Ehsaas have worked very hard. The process of integration is now seamlessly working, and this will enable USC to identify Ehsaas beneficiaries giving them targeted subsidies on certain food items.”

March 17, 2021 – Islamabad: At the Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division (PASSD), Dr. Sania Nishtar chaired the final meeting on the upcoming Ehsaas Private Sector Engagement Policy (EPSEP). The objective of EPSEP is to engage and facilitate non-government stakeholders to leverage their technical, financial, entrepreneurship and outreach support to amplify impact of Ehsaas. The policy highlights the types of support, the engagement model for each type of support, and the safeguards put in place to address risks of partnerships that may form under the agreement. EPSEP is applicable to five groups including private sector organizations (PSOs), non-government organizations, foundations, academia, and individuals. The policy covers the engagement process, governance, and monitoring and evaluation mechanism for different engagement types. “Ensuring integrity and transparency, EPSEP is premised on effective conflict-of-interest management”, said Dr. Sania.

March 15, 2021 – Islamabad: Senator Dr. Sania Nishtar chaired a webinar on Sehat Sahulat programme which was organized by Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE). Speakers included Dr. Faisal Rifaq, CEO Sehat Sahulat Program, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination; Dr. Shabnam Sarfraz, Member Social Sector, Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives; Dr. Mahmood Khalid, Health Economist, PIDE; and Dr. Sara Rizvi Jafree, Assistant Professor, Forman Christian College, Lahore. The webinar aimed to examine the efficacy of Sehat Sahulat programme in terms of its structure, methodology for the identification of the poor, outreach, impact and challenges. “Ehsaas Tahafuz and Sehat Sahulat will work together towards the goal of Universal Health Coverage”, said Dr. Nishtar.

March 15, 2021-Islamabad: Senator Dr. Sania Nishtar met Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh at Finance Division in Islamabad. The meeting aimed to deliberate further on and flesh out details around the targeted commodities scheme. The targeted commodities scheme is currently being conceptualized in line with instructions of Prime Minister Imran Khan to benefit the deserving households.

March 11, 2021 – Islamabad: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar was called on by H.E. Kuninori Matsuda, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan. The meeting took place at Ehsaas offices in Islamabad. Alongside, Secretary Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division, Muhammad Ali Shahzada, senior officials from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and representatives of Japanese Embassy were also present.

March 10, 2021 – Islamabad: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar said that Pakistani women are very talented, goal-oriented, and entrepreneurial. Therefore, she said, that the current government is taking multiple initiatives for enhancing their role in the development of the country. She said that many components of Ehsaas program are dedicated to empower women and uplift their living standards. She was addressing as chief guest at the International Women’s Day event organized by Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI). Mishal Hussain Malick Chairperson Peace and Cultural Organization, Salma Marwat Khan Jeep Rally Champion, , Ayesha Gull ASP Traffic Police Islamabad, and large number of women from all walks of life including university students participated in the event.

March 10, 2021-Islamabad: A ground-breaking ceremony of ‘Ehsaas Koi Bhooka Na Soye’ (EKBNS) was held in the federal capital wherein Prime Minister Imran Khan inaugurated the two Ehsaas food trucks that would serve free cooked food at various points across twin cities, Rawalpindi and Islamabad including public places, slums and hospitals. The meals will be cooked, stored and distributed from trucks’ kitchen. As per estimates, each food truck will feed around 2000 people daily. Food will be distributed 7 days a week, 365 days a year, two times a day. EKBNS is a new policy initiative of the federal government to eliminate hunger in the country. The initiative is an extension of Ehsaas Langar Policy and it aims to distribute cooked meals at designated delivery points to people in need especially those at risk of or experiencing hunger. PM congratulated the Ehsaas programme and Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal administration for the successful launch of the pilot initiative.

March 10, 2021 – Islamabad: With SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar in chair, Ehsaas convened a consultative meeting on, ‘Prospective Commercialization of the Specialized Nutritious Foods (SNFs) Policy’ with Ehsaas Nashonuma stakeholders. The meeting aimed to discuss the viability of commercialization of SNF. In the meeting, regulatory and fiscal hurdles were outlined and recommendations were discussed to manufacture and bring specialized nutrition food to the shelves of retail stores and pharmacies at affordable prices. Nutrition is multisectoral element of Ehsaas and commercialization of SNF is included in the Ehsaas strategy as Policy #65 ‘Specialized nutrition food made available for stunted and wasted children in a cost- effective manner’. The meeting brought together stakeholders from federal and provincial governments, the World Food Programme along with other international development partners, and private sector to provide technical inputs for SNF commercialization policy framework for Pakistan, including specific practical steps to bring SNF to all sectors of the market.

March 8, 2021: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar was invited to speak at the International Women’s Day webinar on, “Food Systems and Women in Leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world” hosted by Food and Agriculture Organization. The event celebrated the tremendous efforts by women and girls around the world especially in sustaining food systems and better nutrition, shaping a more equal future and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Nishtar highlighted the Ehsaas 50% plus benefits policy to benefit lives of disadvantaged women and girls across all Ehsaas initiatives.

March 8, 2021: ‘Pakistani-American Women Leaders: Change-makers and Innovators’- virtual forum was convened by Pakistan’s Embassy in Washington DC. SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar was a keynote speaker at the forum. Dr. Asad Majeed Khan, Pakistani Ambassador in US hosted the event. Many eminent Pakistani American women participated in the webinar including Shaista Mahmood, Founder Pakistan Women Council; Shimmi Kidwai, Director, TCF USA; and Bushra Amiwala, Youngest Muslim elected official in USA amongst others. Ervin Massinga, Senior Advisor Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, US Department of State also spoke at the event.

March 8, 2021: Focused on ‘Women’s Leadership in Times of Crises’, an international webinar was hosted by Athena40, SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar connected with women leaders live from the USA, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa to discuss the virtues of women’s leadership and how women can bring back trust, vision and accountability in a world that is so uncertain. Launched by the London-based non-profit Global Thinkers Forum, Athena40 is a platform connecting and recognising women from around the world. The Pakistan Panel was hosted by Ambassador Attiya Mehmood.

March 8, 2021: At the World Economic Forum’s virtual global event themed, “Women, Leadership and a Pandemic”, SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar shared details about the gender responsive post-Covid Ehsaas Strategy in particular, higher stipend amount for girls under Ehsaas’ education and nutrition conditional cash transfer programmes. The session opened a discussion with the community of global shapers including Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand; Winnie Byanyima, Undersecretary-General of the United Nations; and Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of UNFPA amongst others.

March 8, 2021: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar was invited to speak at the webinar around, ‘The Lancet Series on Women and Children Undernutrition Progress’. The session was organized by Aga Khan University, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and International Center for Equity in Health. Panel reflected on The Lancet series’ findings and implications through distinct lenses, including COVID-19 response and recovery, food systems, and financing for nutrition. Dr. Nishtar shared the multisectoral Ehsaas approach to address health and nutrition, particularly Pakistan National Nutrition Coordination Council and Ehsaas Nashonuma to tackle nutrition and stunting issues prevailing in the country.

March 8, 2021- Islamabad: In a meeting at the PM House, the Prime Minister gave directions to proceed with the detailed conceptualization of a new programme under Ehsaas to target commodity subsidies. The meeting was attended by SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar, Minister for Finance Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Minister for Industries Muhammad Hammad Azhar, Adviser to PM on Institutional Reforms Dr. Ishrat Hussain, SAPM Waqar Masood, Governor State Bank of Pakistan Dr. Reza Baqir, secretaries and senior officers of the relevant ministries. PM was given a detailed briefing on the proposed Ehsaas food stamp programme. Dr. Nishtar in the detailed briefing to the PM, informed about the methodology and contours of the proposed programme. Ehsaas’ direct subsidy programme aims to give financial assistance to the poorest populations so that they could buy essential items.

Islamabad – March 4, 2021: Aimed at setting up a collaborative framework for the forthcoming Ehsaas Street Hawkers’ Initiative, an MoU was inked in a meeting held at the Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division (PASSD) in presence of SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar between PASSD and a multitude of stakeholders. Under the terms of memorandum, Ehsaas has joined hands with Capital Development Authority (CDA), Islamabad Capital Territory Administration (ICTA), Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI), and Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) to collaboratively steer the design and execution of the Ehsaas Street Hawkers’ Initiative. The memorandum is centred on improving the ecosystem for street vending in Islamabad. According to conservative estimates, there are around 20,000 street vendors operating in Islamabad, who are generating annual net income up to Rupees 9.6 billion. Ehsaas’ support for street vendors is in line with Prime Minister’s vision of welfare state based on Riyasat-e-Madina model. In this regard, PASSD is collaborating with city authorities and research institute to organize street vending in a more sustainable manner.

March 2, 2021 – Islamabad: H. E. Nong Rong, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan called on SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar. Secretary Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division (PASSD), Muhammad Ali Shahzada was also present. During the meeting, Chinese Ambassador and Dr. Sania discussed a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which is being framed between the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China and Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division of Pakistan aimed at establishing a platform for collaboration around poverty eradication. Speaking to the press after the meeting, Dr. Sania said, “We are working on the final details of the MOU. The Framework will provide both countries an opportunity to capitalize on sharing of experiences in poverty eradication.”

Feb 26, 2021 – Islamabad: At the Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division (PASSD), SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar convened a final consultative meeting with all four executing agencies of Ehsaas to discuss the policy and roll out plan for the forthcoming One Window Ehsaas operations. Part of One Window Ehsaas Initiative, preparations are underway to open the first of its kind, ‘Physical One Window Ehsaas Center’ in Islamabad and inaugurate ‘Ehsaas Digital’ by end of March 2021. In this regard, Ehsaas is currently in process of structuring and integrating One Window Ehsaas, which is a single- service operation to avoid duplication and ensure improved access to multisectoral Ehsaas initiatives. The initiative comprises of ‘Physical One Window Ehsaas Centers’, interlinked Ehsaas services through Ehsaas e-portal, Ehsaas Android app, deployment of cognitive API architecture for data sharing, standardization of beneficiary targeting and alignment of program beneficiary populations.

Feb 25, 2021 – Islamabad: At the 13th International CSR Summit and Awards 2021 organised by the National Forum for Environment and Health (NFEH), Ehsaas was conferred with Special Annual CSR Award 2021 for steering transparent Ehsaas Emergency Cash disbursements in 2020. The summit was inaugurated by SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar who was the chief guest. “I’m glad that almost half of the population of our country benefited from Ehsaas programme amid COVID-19,” Dr. Sania said, recalling how offices of the Ehsaas programme had remained open to dispense emergency cash assistance when almost all the country was closed as a part of the lockdown measures.

Feb 25, 2021 – Islamabad: Islamabad – February 25, 2021: With the new injection of Rs. 5 Billion to upscale Ehsaas Interest Free Loan (IFL) programme, being ploughed by the government of Pakistan, SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar convened a review meeting with the Ehsaas’ executing agency, Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF). Primarily, the meeting assessed the progress of the IFL in 110 existing districts and discussed the roadmap to upscale the programme across 28 new districts in lagging regions. Launched in July 2019, Ehsaas IFL is the country’s biggest programme for poverty graduation, which will impact 14.7 million vulnerable people in four years with half of them women including youth, persons with special needs, transgender, minorities and marginalised communities. Overall, Ehsaas interest-free loans worth Rs. 41.9 billion have been disbursed to 1.19 million borrowers so far, of which 45 percent are women across the country.

Feb 24, 2021 – Islamabad: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar answered the frequently asked questions (FAQs) of Ehsaas beneficiaries in Radio Pakistan’s national broadcast, “Raabta”. The program is held every Wednesday to create awareness among public about the importance of ongoing Ehsaas survey and new enrolments under Ehsaas Kafaalat through survey. During the live program, Dr. Nishtar replied to questions of listeners who connected with her on telephone. She urged listeners to cooperate with the survey teams when they come at their doorstep for Ehsaas registration and share correct information. The program can be listened every week at 9 am. Listen here.

Feb 24, 2021 – Sargodha: Addressing a news conference in Sargodha, SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar formally opened Ehsaas survey in the district. With the accelerated execution of the Ehsaas survey post-COVID-19, this was the fifth news briefing by Nishtar in a month. “The new Ehsaas survey has begun in all seven Tehsils of Sargodha while it is 70% ready nationwide and would realize by June 2021 to enrol 7 million households living in extreme poverty”, Dr. Nishtar said. Further, she urged district administration, government teachers and local media to create awareness about the survey among the public, stating that it is a free-of-cost and voluntary process and therefore, the people cooperate with the survey team by sharing correct and accurate information. Later, Dr. Nishtar visited the site of the survey in adjoining area of Sargodha to meet beneficiaries and enquired about the survey process and performance of enumerators. Full footage can be watched here.

Feb 22, 2021 – Islamabad: The steering committee for Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarship met with the SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar in chair to stocktake the progress and approve the budget for the academic year 2020-21. In this regard, the committee approved a budget of Rs. 6.53 Billion for 67,000 need and merit based undergraduate scholarships nationwide. Members of the committee discussed that 111,685 undergraduate students (42,430 applications of girls) have applied for scholarships through online application portal which publicly closed for applications on Nov 30, 2020. The meeting also reviewed the field execution of the programme with 125 public sector universities. Dr. Nishtar emphasized to expedite the process for scholarship distribution and disbursements for the academic year 2020-21. The scrutiny of new applications is currently under-way and it is anticipated that final selection process will be completed by April 2021. The committee was informed that the portal will be re-opened for fifteen days in the second week of March 2021 to facilitate students from medical universities in the public sector.

Feb 18, 2021 – Islamabad: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar chaired the stocktake meeting with Ehsaas Amdan implementing partners. The meeting virtually tracked the progress of Ehsaas Amdan being implemented in 388 rural union councils of 23 poorest districts across the four provinces. Last year in February, the Prime Minister had launched Ehsaas Amdan programme to enhance the livelihoods of downtrodden segments of society. In the meeting, target oriented detailed discussions took place with partners. All Amdan partners presented holistic overview of their respective performance along with the operational challenges being confronted by them in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. “Addition of new districts should be purely on already set criteria and according to human development ranking of the districts”, said Dr. Nishtar. She further emphasized the need to be responsive to the circumstances and needs of potential beneficiaries. Both Dr. Nishtar and Muhammad Ali Shahzada, Secretary Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division (PASSD) stressed the need to fast track progress.

Feb 16, 2021 – Islamabad: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar joined the panel on ‘the Banking on Equality Policy’ hosted by State Bank of Pakistan. The virtual session held practical discussions amongst the participants to help fine-tune the policy and develop the future implementation roadmap in light of stakeholders’ feedback. Alongside Dr. Nishtar, other speakers on the panel included Governor State Bank Dr. Reza Baqir, Deputy Governor State Bank, Sima Kamil and Chairman Nadra Usman Yousaf Mobin The Banking on Equity Policy is State Bank of Pakistan’s  flagship policy initiative for introducing a gender lens within the financial sector through targeted measures to bring a shift towards gender friendly business practices, and improve women’s financial inclusion in the country.

Feb 15, 2021 – Islamabad: Payments to new Ehsaas Kafaalat beneficiaries who are being enrolled through the ongoing Ehsaas survey have commenced last week. To create awareness among masses in this regard, SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar has released a series of 40 beneficiary centered videos on twitter. These instructional videos will provide information and guidance to public, facilitating them to participate in Ehsaas. In the talking head videos, Dr. Nishtar has answered frequently asked questions (FAQs) in simple language. In particular, videos describe the FAQs of public, including details of new Ehsaas survey and outline process of enrolments and payments to new Kafaalat recipients. The video release is available on the official twitter handle of Dr. Nishtar; @SaniaNishtar.

Feb 12, 2021 – Islamabad: Under the chair of SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar, Technical Design Committee of Ehsaas met to discuss important agendas relating to One-Window Ehsaas, graduation bonus for girls enrolled in the primary education under the conditional cash transfer programme, Waseela -e-Taleem Digital and Indexation Policy of Ehsaas Kafaalat. The meeting took place at Ehsaas offices in Islamabad with members of the Design Committee.

Feb 12, 2021 – Islamabad: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar met with the Advisor Establishment, Shahzad Arbab to apprise him of efforts being done under Ehsaas to track delivery against performance contracts with the Prime Minister, and the digital dashboards and delivery unit ecosystem that have been developed to enable it. Shahzad Arbab lauded the data and technology centered social protection initiatives launched under Ehsaas to ensure transparency and integrity.

Feb 11, 2021 – Lahore: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar opened the Ehsaas survey in Lahore that will be accomplished by June 2021. Addressing a media briefing, Nishtar said that an ongoing survey for the Ehsaas programme is currently 70% complete in the country, adding that 7 million deserving households are being brought into the fold of Kafaalat through the fully transparent survey. “Ehsaas survey is being executed in Lahore based on a hybrid approach. With the transparency and integrity at its core, the survey is being rolled out in collaboration with provincial government of Punjab, Punjab Education Department and district administration Lahore. Ehsaas partnering firm, SDPI will provide technical assistance to 1,350 teachers from provincial education department Lahore who are being trained to serve as enumerators”, said Nishtar while describing the survey approach. Full footage can be watched here.

Feb 11, 2021 – Lahore: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar sat with students of University of Education in Lahore who were awarded Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarship in 2019-20 and sought their feedback on the scholarship policy. The consultation created an open platform to exchange ideas on how students in need can increasingly benefit from the merit and need based scholarships of Ehsaas. Dr. Sania also responded to several questions of students with regard to Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarship programme. Ehsaas Scholarship recipients from Lahore appreciated that the programme has financially supported large number of deserving students to access undergraduate education. In 2019-20, around 1,700 students (51% girls) from University of Education were awarded the Ehsaas scholarship.

Feb 10, 2021 – Islamabad: Prime Minister Imran Khan visited Kallar Syedan Tehsil of Rawalpindi to witness Kafaalat enrolment and to interact with the new beneficiaries. PM, sitting under an old Banyan tree along with the beneficiaries of Kafaalat, said that the financial assistance was aimed at easing up the difficulties of deserving people. SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar in a briefing to the PM said that 68 per cent of the Ehsaas survey had been completed in the country, which would be finalized by June. 7 million deserving beneficiaries who are being identified through the new survey will be given Rs. 2,000 a month on a continuing basis, to assist them with their basic needs. Women beneficiaries of Kafaalat namely Nasreen Bibi, Allah Rakhi, Amina Bibi and others on the occasion talked to PM and expressed gratitude that Ehsaas programme is proving helpful in mitigating their financial ordeal.

Feb 4, 2021 – Islamabad: In a special meeting chaired by SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar, the standards for private sector orphanages were approved. This is the first time that such an initiative has been taken. Pakistan has a very vibrant philanthropy sector and there are a number of orphanages in the private sector which have mushroomed all over the country. However, there is no consistency in services provided in these orphanages and the care provided is of varying quality. Taking cognizance of this, Ehsaas strategy had stipulated under its policy no. 37 that standards would be developed for orphanages. For this purpose, a committee was established in 2019. The committee was headed by Chairperson Khubaib Foundation and all major NGOs hosting orphanages were members of the committee in addition to Parliamentarians. The committee held 17 formal meetings and 70 side sessions. The meeting formally approved standards and it was decided that these standards will be notified for all orphanages in the federal area and will be shared with provinces asking them to implement.

Feb 2, 2021 – Islamabad: BISP has exited an additional 29,961 individuals from its list of beneficiaries, following the data cleaning exercise 2020 under Ehsaas Governance framework. In a tweet, SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar revealed that additional 29,961 individuals have been made ineligible for receiving the cash assistance as per availability of more data in 2020. Among those removed from the BISP list of beneficiaries included 15,326 pensioners, 273 government employees, 9,991 high income individuals (as documented by FBR data) and 4,371 employees of autonomous agencies (as per data of 30 out of 74 agencies), Dr. Nishtar disclosed. Earlier in the year 2019, BISP exited 820,165 individuals from its beneficiaries’ list out of which 142,556 were government servants.

February 1, 2021 – Peshawar: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar was accompanied by H.E. Christian Turner, British High Commissioner; Najy Benhassine, Country Director World Bank; Xiaohong Yang, Country Director Asian Development Bank; Julien Harneis, UN Resident Coordinator; Androulla Kaminara, Ambassador of the European Union to Pakistan; and Lire Ersado from the World Bank on the visit to Khyber Tribal District and Peshawar, where they took stock of the multisectoral Ehsaas interventions and met beneficiaries. The foreign delegation had expressed an interest to see multi-sectoral Ehsaas interventions in the field. The visit began with the inauguration of Ehsaas Nashonuma Center at Civil Hospital in Jamrud, Khyber Tribal District. Dr. Nishtar formally opened the Nashonuma centre with a curtain raising. Following it, the delegation visited a survey site in outskirts of Peshawar to oversee the digital registration of the local household through Ehsaas survey. Later, the delegation also joined the children and their mothers in Peshawar to witness new enrolments of deserving children in Waseela-e-Taleem Digital. The high-level delegation was especially inspired by the success of the Ehsaas programme that was completed in one and a half years’ time and were fascinated by its transformative characteristics they saw in in KP.

Jan 29, 2021 – Sahiwal: Addressing a media briefing in Sahiwal, SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar said that an ongoing survey for the Ehsaas programme is currently 28% complete in Sahiwal Division and 47.7% complete in Punjab, adding that deserving and destitute people are being brought into the fold of Kafaalat through the fully transparent survey. “No fee for the Ehsaas survey is being charged”, she added. Further, Dr. Sania said that foundation of the Ehsaas programme has been laid purely on non-political basis and the first six months of 2021 would be a milestone for the welfare of deserving people. The Ehsaas survey will conclude in June 2021 nationwide. Later, she also interacted with newly enrolled Ehsaas Kafaalat beneficiaries along with awardees of Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarship and borrowers of Ehsaas Interest Free Loan. SAPM Shahbaz Gill, Secretary BISP and Vice Chancellor University of Sahiwal also joined the media briefing. Full footage of the briefing can be watched here.

Jan 29, 2021 – Sahiwal: Prime Minister Imran Khan addressed a public gathering in Sahiwal and launched few development projects. Amongst other engagements, he also interacted with Ehsaas beneficiaries. At the site, PM distributed cheques of Ehsaas interest free loans and Ehsaas undergraduate scholarship among the selected number of deserving beneficiaries and students from Sahiwal Division. Governor Punjab and Chief Minister Punjab were also present at the occasion. Addressing the ceremony, PM said that Sahiwal would be provided best facilities in the fields of health, education, road infrastructure and social welfare. “Since its launch in March 2019, the different initiatives of Ehsaas including Kafaalat, Waseela-e-Taleem Digital, undergraduate scholarships, interest free loans and several others have been implemented in Sahiwal Division to uplift the marginalized populations”, he added. SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar said that Ehsaas programme is totally apolitical and Rs. 179 billion emergency cash had been disbursed in the country last year under Ehsaas, with 504,000 households benefiting in Sahiwal Division.

Jan 27, 2021, The ‘Ehsaas Tahafuz Facilitation Desk’ was officially opened by SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar at the Holy Family Hospital Rawalpindi, the pilot site for Tahafuz. Dr. Sania was joined by Dr. Muhammad Umer VC of Rawalpindi Medical University, Dr. Shazia Zeb Medical Superintendent of hospital, Muhammad Ali Shahzada, Secretary Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division (PASSD) and other senior officials from Ehsaas team. “It is such a pleasure to open the first of its kind initiative in the country that aims to cover catastrophic health expenditures for deserving patients. Tahafuz will cover the cost of pre-approved treatment packages”, said Dr. Sania. Currently, Tahafuz is in the pilot phase and is being implemented collaboratively with the Holy Family Hospital in Rawalpindi to identify patients facing catastrophic health expenditures, who are not covered by Sehat Sahulat Card or are in hospital not enrolled in Sehat Sahulat programme; they are assessed by the system, and if eligible, will be provided funding by allocating donations to the patient.

Jan 27, 2021 – Islamabad: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar will be reaching out the wider national audience every Wednesday through Radio Pakistan’s live program, “Raabta”. The program aims to educate people about the objectives, approach and status of Ehsaas survey and Ehsaas Kafaalat. Dr. Sania will reply to questions of listeners who can connect with her on telephone by calling directly at 051-9206995 and 051-9215206. Talking to people in today’s program, Dr. Sania said, “Ehsaas is conducting a door-to-door survey all over the country so that data can be gathered about the socioeconomic status of households. Ehsaas survey is currently 65 percent complete in the country and is progressing smoothly to accomplish by June 2021. According to the Ehsaas policy, the results of survey will facilitate proper targeting of 7 million poor households for Ehsaas Kafaalat.” The program can be listened every week at 9 am. Listen here.

Jan 25, 2021- Mardan: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar made a visit to Women University Mardan to hold a policy dialogue with Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarship awardees of 2019-20. She was warmly received by the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Ghazala Yasmeen and faculty members. More than 100 young girls participated in the dialogue, which provided a space to exchange ideas on how young girls from rural areas can increasingly benefit from the Ehsaas’ merit and need based scholarship. Dr. Sania also answered a number of questions related to details of Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarship program. Last year, 400 girls from Women University Mardan had applied, out which 124 were awarded the Ehsaas scholarship. Overall, 50,762 students have benefitted from the Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarships worth 4.9 million in 2019-20. In total, 200,000 scholarships would be awarded over the four years to deserving students in 125 public universities. It represents a paradigm shift in the government’s scholarship policy.

Jan 25, 2021 – Mardan: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar addressed a press conference with local media reporters, journalists and district administration to brief them about the ongoing Ehsaas poverty census in the area. “Ehsaas poverty survey currently stands 71% ready in Mardan, 45% in KP and 65 percent in the country and successfully continues to accomplish by June 2021. Once the Ehsaas survey gets finalized, the enrollment of new Ehsaas beneficiaries will be based on eligibility verification from the new database”, shared Dr. Nishtar. She also acknowledged the provincial government, district administration and police department for their support and cooperation. Accelerating the pace of Ehsaas poverty census, a new model has been deployed in KP to conduct the survey in partnership with provincial education department. Through an android based application, the survey teams are collecting the data of households at the doorstep. Later, Dr. Nishtar visited a survey site in Gujar Garhi area of Mardan to review the demo of the survey. She also interacted with the survey team and a native household being surveyed in the local setting. Full footage of the press conference can be watched here.

Jan 21, 2021 – Islamabad: The President Dr. Arif Alvi convened a meeting to expedite the process of registration of the differently-abled. He said that the existing procedure of certification and registration was quite slow and cumbersome which needed to be simplified for the facilitation of the differently-abled people. For Ehsaas, this is an important step in the process to grant Ehsaas Kafaalat stipends to the eligible differently-abled. The meeting was attended by the SAPM on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division, Dr. Sania Nishtar, SAPM on National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination, Dr. Faisal Sultan, Chairman NADRA, Usman Yousaf Mobin, and senior officials of the Ministry of Health. Dr. Sania briefed the meeting that the survey on the disabled under the Ehsaas programme would be completed by the end of June 2021. The Chairman NADRA shared that over 339,000 differently-abled persons had been registered with NADRA.

President Dr Arif Alvi being briefed about initiatives being taken for the Persons with Disabilities, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, on 21-01-2021

Jan 21, 2021 – Islamabad: The second meeting of the Ehsaas Tahafuz Steering Committee was chaired by SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar at the Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division (PASSD). Based on the recommendations of ‘Poverty Expert Committee’ for Tahafuz, the members of the steering committee discussed and approved the beneficiary eligibility determination mechanism; treatment packages to be covered; and selection of service provider hospitals in line with programme assessment criteria for expanding Tahafuz pilot. The committee also directed to expedite the process for the development of ‘Ehsaas Catastrophic Health Expenditure Policy’ that is currently in the pipeline to dovetail Tahafuz with the Sehat Sahulat programme of the government. The Tahafuz Steering Committee has the mandate to provide managerial and strategic oversight to the Tahafuz programme.

Jan 21, 2021 – Islamabad: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar inaugurated the ‘Ehsaas Tahafuz Project Unit’ that has been established to manage the execution of Ehsaas Tahafuz. As part of institutional arrangements for effective programme management and implementation, the Ehsaas Tahafuz unit is housed in Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division. At the occasion, the team working on the Tahafuz pilot phase also briefed Dr. Nishtar on the progress of the programme. A 12-member team has been hired following hiring procedures of the government to fulfil the technical demands of the programme. “Ehsaas Tahafuz Project Management Unit is an important element in institutional arrangements and a crucial determinant of efficiency in Tahafuz programme delivery. It includes transparent mechanisms put in place for the purpose of coordinating, planning; financial management; procurement and provision of technical and implementation support”, said Dr. Nishtar.

January 20, 2021 – South Waziristan: Prime Minister Imran Khan during his visit to South Waziristan launched Ehsaas Kafaalat programme in the district and reviewed the status of first-ever digital survey in the district. The Ehsaas National Socioeconomic Registry (NSER) survey based on which the Ehsaas Kafaalat and many other stipends will be given to deserving people in the district has already commenced on January 9, 2021.“Ehsaas enumerators are going house-to-house with tablets to collect district-wide information”, said SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar while briefing PM on the status of Ehsaas survey. “This is the first time the population of South Waziristan will benefit from a transparent and rule based social protection program. Over 25 percent population of the district will benefit from Ehsaas in 2021.”, she further added. Later, PM also oversaw payment to select number of Ehsaas Kafaalat beneficiaries through Ehsaas’ digital payment system.

Jan 20, 2021 – Bangkok: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar was invited to keynote the virtual launch of the Asia and the Pacific Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition 2020. The report is a joint effort of FAO, UNICEF, WFP and WHO. Other eminent speakers included Emorn Udomkesmalee, Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University and Chair of the IFPRI Board of Trustees; Minister of Agriculture, Solomon Islands; and John Aylieff, Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, WFP. Addressing the launch event, Dr. Sania said, “The response to the pandemic in Pakistan has been multi-sectoral. We must ensure a holistic approach to address nutrition and expand safe access to high-impact programmes.” After discussing the most recent data on SDG2 indicators, the report focuses on the special theme of maternal and child diets, and the importance of using a systems approach to improve those diets. Full report can be accessed here.

January 19, 2021 – Islamabad: The Cabinet Committee for the procurement of coronavirus vaccine gave briefing to the PM about measures being taken to ensure the supply of vaccine in current quarter of this year. Minister for Industries Muhammad Hammad Azhar, Minister for Planning Asad Umar, Special Assistant for Health Dr. Faisal Sultan and Special Assistant for Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation Dr. Sania Nishtar attended the meeting. The Prime Minister directed to speed up measures for the procurement and supply of the approved coronavirus vaccines.

Jan 18, 2021 – Islamabad: President Dr. Arif Alvi hosted a seminar at Aiwan-e-Sadr to promote exclusive breastfeeding, which is the most cost effective way to address malnutrition and is highly supportive for Ehsaas Nashonuma programme. “If a newborn baby is given breastmilk within the first hour of life, it increases his chances of survival and good health, acts as a natural vaccine against diseases, and is regarded as nearly perfect mix of nutrients by physicians. This is the best care that can be provided to our children during their initial days,” Dr. Alvi said. Aside from President Dr. Alvi and SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar, the event was attended by Dr. Faisal Sultan, UNCEF Country Director Aida Girma, National Programme Manager of the Nutrition Program Dr. Baseer Achakzai, as well as noted parliamentarians, representatives of UN organizations, civil society, media, and social activists. Speaking at the event, Dr. Sania highlighted how the Ehsaas programme, through its 48 Ehsaas Nashonuma Centres is contributing to fulfilment of the nutritional needs of children in Pakistan.

Jan 17, 2021 – Islamabad: In preparations for the upcoming Street Hawkers’ Initiative under Mazdoor ka Ehsaas, SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar spent this weekend speaking to hawkers in Islamabad to gain policy insights. She took a round of the small roadside markets in Islamabad, met the hawkers and people present there, and enquired about their problems. “People’s voices are important for effective policy design and implementation”, she said. During interaction, Dr. Sania also apprised hawkers about the Ehsaas Interest Free Loan programme launched by the government for the graduation of poor.

Jan 16, 2021 – Islamabad: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar convened a consultative meeting at the Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division (PASSD) with all four executing agencies under the stewardship of Ehsaas to develop a collaborative perspective on standardized beneficiary targeting that is one of the components of One Window Ehsaas. Along with Secretary PASSD, Mohammad Ali Shahzada, MD Pakistan Bait ul Mal, Aon Abbas Buppi, and CEO of PPAF, Qazi Azmat Isa attended the meeting. Under the Ehsaas framework, social protection programmes are delivered through respective executing agencies and Ehsaas strategy stipulates that their impact can be maximized through integrated beneficiary service delivery.

Jan 15, 2021 – Rawalpindi: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar inaugurated the Ehsaas survey in Rawalpindi that is being rolled out under the teacher based model. To kick off the survey, Dr. Sania held a press conference with the media and local government teachers at DC Office Rawalpindi to brief them on the end-to-end digital approach and progress with regard to the Ehsaas survey. “This is the first ever computer aided survey that continues in various districts across the country to enrol deserving households in Ehsaas. Overall, the survey is currently 63 percent complete and is progressing smoothly to accomplish by June 2021”, said Dr. Sania. Later, she also visited a village in Tehsil Kahuta of Rawalpindi along with survey team to witness the digital enrolment of a family in survey. At the site, she also interacted with women, listened to their issues and assured full cooperation.

January 13, 2021 – Islamabad: The new Chief Minister of Gilgit Baltistan, Khalid Khurshid called on SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar at Ehsaas Offices in Islamabad. He expressed keen interest to scale up the Ehsaas Nashonuma model of centers across all Tehsils of the province. After the call, they also had a workshop to discuss the next steps for collaboration under Ehsaas Nashonuma.

January 13, 2021 – Islamabad: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar chaired the eligibility committee meeting of Ehsaas Tahafuz. The committee discussed and revised the eligibility ceiling with regard to the policy on protection against catastrophic health expenditures under Tahafuz programme.

January 12, 2021- Islamabad: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar convened a meeting with Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) to flesh out details of the potential street hawkers’ initiative under Ehsaas. The meeting took place at the Division of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety. At the meeting, Secretary of the Division and Mayor of Islamabad were also present.

January 12, 2021 – Islamabad: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar inaugurated the Ehsaas Delivery Unit (EDU) in Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division (PASSD) that has been established to track the cadence of delivery across several components of Ehsaas programme. The unit was formally opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Secretary of the Division, Muhammad Ali Shahzada together with EDU team was also present at the ceremony to kick off the new unit. “The EDU will also track implementation of the goals and targets established under the “Performance Agreement” recently signed with the Prime Minister”, said Dr. Sania. EDU is a dedicated unit to lead delivery of Ehsaas strategy. The unit’s overall mandate is folded into four key functions including programme’s strategic roll out, monitoring and evaluation, data analytics, advisory support, and communications and stakeholder engagement, among others. Following Government of Pakistan’s policies and procedures, a relevant team has been hired in the unit to coordinate cross ministerial, interprovincial and intersectoral implementation of Ehsaas.

January 11, 2021 – Islamabad: A meeting was held with the team working on Ehsaas Data4Pakistan portal at the Ehsaas premises. SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar chaired the meeting. The meeting discussed next steps for strengthening and quality enhancement of the district development portal. Under the umbrella of Ehsaas, Data4Pakistan is the first initiative of its kind in the country that provides open and public access to a spatial interactive portal that has poverty estimates for every district in Pakistan, along with over 120 development and policy indicators.

January 11, 2021 – Islamabad: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar chaired the introductory meeting of Ehsaas Nashonuma steering committee at Ehsaas’ premises. At the meeting, two federal ministries and six provincial ministries came to the table along with Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, the World Bank, World Food Programme, World Health Organization, Asian Development Bank, UNICEF, Federal Expanded Programme for Immunization, PPAF and Nashonuma operations team from BISP. The steering committee members were briefed on the progress of Ehsaas Nashonuma programme that is being implemented in partnership with the provinces and World Food Programme. Alongside, the steering committee’s ToRs, strategic avenues for scaling up the programme, lessons from the first phase, priorities for quality enhancements, adaptations and integrations introduced in the design and roll out of the programme were discussed. 48 Ehsaas Nashonuma Centres across 13 districts are being established countrywide at the district and Tehsil level health facilities to provide all the services under one roof through the programme.

January 9, 2021 – South Waziristan: SAPM made a visit to Wana, South Waziristan to launch Ehsaas survey and meet local tribal jirgas. “I appeal to tribal Jirgas to facilitate survey teams when they go door to door in the region to collect household data. Poverty profiling of the households is being done through a computer aided system and would be completed in the next few months,” Dr. Sania stated while addressing a Jirga, adding that government has executed the new Ehsaas survey on apolitical basis so that no deserving family is left out from the flagship social protection programme. Further, she said, “Ehsaas National Socio-economic Registry Survey is nondiscriminatory in nature and has been rolled out nationwide to benefit the vulnerable irrespective of their religion, ethnicity or area. Tribal people should participate in the survey to get benefits from a multitude of conditional and unconditional cash transfer programmes under Ehsaas.”

January 9, 2021 -Tank: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar visited Tank district in KP along with Ehsaas team to meet the local tribal jirgas. The survey is 65% complete in Tank. She briefed the elders and influentials of tribal jirgas on the purpose and end-to-end digital approach of ongoing Ehsaas survey. “Ehsaas has launched a new digital survey in southern districts of KP including Tank to benefit deserving households through Ehsaas”, said Dr. Sania. During the visit, she also held a media briefing with the local press and media in Tank to describe the methodology and approach adopted for the Ehsaas survey. She answered the questions of the local media regarding Ehsaas survey and several cash transfer programmes under Ehsaas for the underprivileged. Earlier, Dr. Sania visited a local household in Christian Hospital Colony, Tank to examine the digital registration process through the survey. Full footage of media briefing can be accessed here.

Jan 8, 2021- Dera Ismail Khan: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar made a visit to Dera Ismail Khan and briefed local media on the ongoing Ehsaas survey in the district. She interacted with the local press and media to create awareness on the Ehsaas National Socio-economic Registry survey. Later, Dr. Sania visited a survey site outside the district in Thoya Fazil area to inspect the digital registration process of the local household through survey. “The survey is currently 22 percent complete in Dera Ismail Khan and is progressing smoothly to accomplish soon. Nationwide, the Ehsaas survey on poverty profiling stands 61% complete and will be concluded before June 2021”, the statement quoted Dr. Sania as saying. Connecting with the masses in Dera Ismail Khan, Dr. Sania also appeared in the Radio Pakistan’s Ehsaas special programme and apprised listeners about ongoing Ehsaas initiatives including survey in southern districts of KP. Full footage of media briefing can be accessed here.

January 7, 2021- Islamabad: Following the due diligence process, Ehsaas Emergency Cash payments to families of eligible dead beneficiaries have been ongoing since December 2020 and so far, 24,829 families have withdrawn cash nationwide. Overall, 169,107 applications were received by Ehsaas till September 30, 2020 out of which 65,954 have been processed; of these 5,024 cases were ineligible. Furthermore, of the currently approved 60,930 applications, payments are currently being made to 23,464 families and bank accounts of 12,637 families are being opened and analysed this month. Also, SMS messages featuring details of payments to next of kin of dead beneficiaries are being sent accordingly. The scrutiny of 103,153 applications is presently ongoing and once the due diligence is completed, the disbursements will be made to all eligible applicant families till February 28, 2021.

January 6, 2021- Islamabad: The Prime Minister Imran Khan presided over a briefing meeting about the measures for Ehsaas “no one goes to sleep hungry” programme. SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar briefed the PM in detail about the initiative. The Prime Minister was told that as per his vision, the provision of meals would be ensured through Ehsaas under a coordinated strategy after the identification of areas facing the danger of food shortage. PM while appreciating proposal of providing food to deserving people stressed to ensure on priority basis the identification of such areas where people were deprived of two-time meals due to economic hardships. Dr. Sania also briefed the PM about Ehsaas Donor Portal under which besides the receipt of donations at individual and institutional levels, the donors would also be able to get details of expenditures through digitalised and automated system. After the completion of preparatory work, this programme will be launched by the end of first quarter of current year.

Jan 6, 2021 – Islamabad: A maiden meeting of the Ehsaas steering committee for Waseela-e-Taleem Digital, an education conditional cash transfer programme was convened under the chair of SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar. The steering committee members were briefed on the massively reformed Waseela-e-Taleem Digital that has been scaled up through end-to-end digitization, cost effective changes in institutional infrastructure, new stipend policy, and nationwide expansion across all districts. The steering committee reviewed the programme performance, discussed the way forward and explored options to enhance the outcomes of the programme capitalizing on conditionalities introduced in the programme. The meeting brought together members of the steering committee from Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Education and Professional Training, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and Education Departments from provinces including AJK and GB who were joined by Waseela-e-Taleem Digital operations team.

Jan 4, 2020: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar conducted a review session with participants of 113^th National Management Course at National Management College Lahore. The session was part of the mandatory training for civil servants organized by the Establishment Division. Dr. Sania reviewed the work of the group of  specialized domain training workshop of the course comprising senior officers who had developed a national policy and strategy paper on social protection. During the session, she also briefed the audience about new directions in social protection.

Dec 30, 2020 – Islamabad: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar chaired the joint meeting of Risk Assurance and Management, and Audit Committees of BISP board, where a number of agenda items were discussed. Since Ehsaas’ operations are largely digital, it is critical to ensure that IT safety measures are in place; more than 100 steps have been taken to secure the IT system in that regard over the last 2 years, since she took over, Dr. Sania informed the committee members. “We will be organizing a hackers competition inviting ethical hackers to outline our vulnerabilities”, she said. Ehsaas will be the first public sector entity to implement a Vulnerability Disclosure Policy that is intended to give ethical hackers clear guidelines for submitting potentially unknown and harmful security vulnerabilities. The discussion of the Risk Committee mainly centered on internal and external audits, Ehsaas Risk Registry, Error Fraud and Corruption Framework, implementation of security safeguards within the organization and setting up of the Cyber Control Wing. Also, under observation were Ehsaas Governance and Integrity Policy and Observatory and how the organization was faring against 23 indicators of the policy and observatory to gauge the performance of BISP.

Dec 30, 2020 – Islamabad: Provincial Minister of Punjab for Livestock and Dairy Development, Sardar Hasnain Bahadar called on SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar. He shared important insights about the importance of livestock for improving the lives of the disadvantaged under Ehsaas Amdan. Secretary Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division, Muhammad Ali Shahzada and Secretary BISP, Yousuf Khan were also present.

Dec 27, 2020 – Islamabad: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar made an unannounced visit to Tarlai Panagah (shelter home) in Islamabad. The visit meant to spot-check the quality of food and shelter services being provided to needy labourers. During the visit, she interacted with the labourers and staff at the Panagah and checked the compliance of prioritized catering and living standards.

Dec 24, 2020 – Islamabad: To explore what the government needs to do to support private sector that runs old age homes, SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar made a surprise visit to an old age home in suburbs of Islamabad. She was accompanied by Managing Director Pakistan Bait ul Mal. At the old age home, she met with the elderly people living there without families and reviewed facilities.

Dec 24, 2020 – Islamabad: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar convened a half day strategy session to plan the second generation reforms under the Ehsaas Kafaalat. The session was attended by the BISP team responsible for the implementation of Kafaalat programme. BISP is one of the 34 executing agencies of Ehsaas. The meeting featured a working session on improving the quality of service for Kafaalat beneficiaries, which later presented recommendations for onward reforms.

Dec 23, 2020 – Islamabad: Chairing a conference on national initiatives to address gender based discrepancies and for the promotion of legal, economic and social empowerment of women, President Dr. Arif Alvi said that women could not be empowered without their economic empowerment. Speaking at the closing session of the event, SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar outlined myriad measures taken under the Ehsaas 50%+Benefits Policy to stipulate equality and socio-economic transformation of disadvantaged women. The conference was also attended by Law Minister Farogh Nasim, Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari, Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood, Information Minister Shibli Faraz, SAPM on Health Dr. Faisal Sultan, and others.

Dec 23, 2020 – Islamabad: Ehsaas held a consultative meeting with the World Bank to discuss the data protection bill. The discussion took place at the BISP headquarters and was attended by SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar, senior officials of Ehsaas and experts from the World Bank.

Dec 21, 2020 – Islamabad: At the Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division (PASSD), SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar convened two back to back Ehsaas meetings. The first meeting was held with Ehsaas Tahafuz team to take stock of progress and review where last-minute snags need to be addressed before the pilot execution. The second meeting took place with the Ehsaas Delivery Unit team to review the cadence of delivery across several components of the Ehsaas program. In both meetings, Secretary PASSD and Joint Secretary PASSD were also in attendance.

Dec 18, 2020 – Islamabad: The 44^th board meeting of BISP took place at the BISP headquarters in Islamabad. SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar chaired the meeting. BISP is one of the 34 implementing agencies of Ehsaas. Since Dec 2018, when Dr. Sania took over as a board chair, 15 BISP board meetings have been held and all board sub-committees are regularly meeting in line with the Ehsaas Governance and Integrity Policy. The board meeting was attended by Secretary BISP, Secretary Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division, and senior officials and representatives from the Finance Division, Economic Affairs Division, NADRA and private sector.

Dec 18, 2020 -Islamabad: Ehsaas virtually hosted a knowledge sharing session on, ‘Digital & Financial Inclusion’ with global experts and international practitioners. SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar joined the session together with Ehsaas team. The session aimed to discuss transition towards opening of mobile wallets for Ehsaas beneficiaries, who are at the bottom of the pyramid. With the view to review and reflect on experiences and lessons gained, the session brought together practitioners from South Africa, Bangladesh, Columbia and Pakistan.

Dec 18, 2020 – Rawalpindi: Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Sania Nishtar visited a Panagah (shelter home) in Raja Bazar, Rawalpindi. She interacted with the residents and inquired about their well-being. She also took round of the Panagah to see the infrastructure and facilities. Chairman Rawalpindi Development Authority briefed her about the arrangements made at the facility to serve food and shelter to the deserving in this extremely cold weather. Dr. Sania appreciated the state of cleanliness and well managed facilities at the Panagah. Talking to newsmen, Dr. Sania said that Prime Minister has instructed the launch of more Panagahs for the deserving and in the next phase, Panagahs across the country would gradually be remodeled.

Dec 17, 2020 – Sialkot: Under the newly introduced model, SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar inaugurated the digitally enabled Ehsaas survey, in Pakistan’s most industrialized district, Sialkot. The inaugurated model is principally centred on the fast-track approach to implement the survey across Sialkot in collaboration with provincial school education department of Punjab under the technical supervision of Ehsaas. The new survey is being rolled out in all areas of Sialkot through computer assisted approach. While in Sialkot, Dr. Sania also held an interactive briefing with the media to brief them on the progress and constraints with regard to the ongoing national Ehsaas survey. “The entire survey registry is expected to be completed across the country before June 2021”, shared Dr. Sania. Later, she also visited a local household in the Sialkot Tehsil of the district to oversee the digital enrolment of the family through survey.

Dec 14, 2020 – Islamabad: Prime Minister Imran Khan was briefed that the World Bank (WB) has doubled its assistance for Ehsaas, which would ensure social protection of maximum deserving people through the program. The PM was told this during a meeting with SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar and Country Director World Bank Najy Benhassine, who called on him. The World Bank’s Country Director declared the Ehsaas program as a flagship social protection program of the government and a role model for other countries. The PM directed Dr. Sania to formulate a comprehensive strategy for the expansion of Ehsaas program.

Dec 14, 2020 – Islamabad: Chairing a meeting at the Aiwan-e-Sadr , about the registration of special persons, President Dr. Arif Alvi appreciated measures being taken under ‘Ehsaas Kafaalat Policy for Special Persons’ to address the needs of special persons and encourage their active participation in the society. He also underlined the need for simplifying the process of registration of special persons to facilitate them. The meeting was attended by SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar, Chairman National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), Usman Yousuf Mobin and other senior officials. The President was briefed by Dr. Sania and NADRA Chairman on the steps currently being taken for the registration of special persons.

Dec 11, 2020 – Islamabad: Early morning, SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar made a surprise visit to the campsite at Karachi Company, Islamabad. During the visit, she interacted with agents of partnering bank- HBL and Kafaalat beneficiary women who had arrived to withdraw Kafaalat cash. During the visit, Dr. Sania was pleased to find that the two police functionaries meant to be there on time were present and were fulfilling their duties. It was followed by another surprise visit to Panagah at G-9, Islamabad. At the Panagah, she witnessed that all the staff including shift incharge and accountant were there in office. The cleaner was cleaning and a houseboy was changing sheets and everything was in order. Dr. Sania was informed that more than a 100 daily wagers had slept in the Panagah last night.

 Dec 11, 2020 – Islamabad: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar and Country Director, The World Bank Pakistan, Najy Benhassine conducted a knowledge sharing session on one window delivery models. The session brought together international experts from around the world to exchange global experience and best practices centred on one window solutions. “Ehsaas is structuring One Window operations which is a single-window information and service approach for better access to multiple Ehsaas programs. This global experience sharing will help us refine our One Window strategy”, said Dr. Sania.

Dec 10, 2020 -Islamabad: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar was invited by PIDE to address a webinar, ‘Street Vendors in Islamabad – Voices from the Ground’.  The event was meant to present voices of both regulators and regulatees of local street economy. Addressing the webinar, Dr. Sania said, “Thank you PIDE for your work in the area of ‘Street Vending’—a critical contributor to livelihood promotion for the poor.” She further added, “Thanks for conducting a recent street vendors’ survey and sharing details. It will result in a more participatory approach for a strive to resolve this intractable issue.” Other expert panelists who came to the table were- Shahid Mahmood Member Planning Capital Development Authority, Shafaq Hashmi Chief Officer Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad, Zia Banday Senior Fellow PIDE, Fazal Hayat Coordinator of Street Vendors’ Survey Team, and Bedar Bakht and Muhammad Sajid Street Vendors from Karachi Company Islamabad. PIDE has teamed up with Ehsaas to establish an evidence-based support for the government to streamline governance and livelihood of street vendors in Pakistan.

Dec 10, 2020 – Islamabad: Islamabad: In a press conference jointly hosted by Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MOIB) Pakistan, Sir Michael Barber connected virtually from UK to unveil his independent report entitled, ‘The Ehsaas Programme: Shift from politics of patronage to politics of performance’, together with SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar and Federal Minister for MOIB, Shibli Faraz. The full footage of the press conference can be watched here. Sir Michael Barber is the Chairman and Founder of Delivery Associates. He is one of the world’s leading education reformers, and from 2001 to 2005 was Chief Advisor on Delivery to Prime Minister Tony Blair. His Ehsaas report mainly analyses the first year of the Government’s flagship programme. Outlining the initial steps taken to establish the programme to be transparent, multisectoral and results-driven, it goes on to highlight some of the major achievements to date. The full report can be accessed here.

Dec 10, 2020 – Islamabad: Together with senior Ehsaas officials, SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar made an early morning visit to the payment campsite in Kahuta to meet Kafaalat beneficiaries. The visit holistically reviewed Kafaalat operations in the field so that evidence-based improvements can be made where needed. Dr. Sania also reviewed special arrangements that were made with regard to prevention against spread of the COVID-19. She was briefed on Kafaalat payments in the area by Assistant Commissioner, Kahuta and Assistant Director of Ehsaas in Kahuta. Later, Dr. Sania also visited a biometric ATM at the local branch of partnering bank, HBL to witness Kafaalat cash withdrawals.

Dec 9, 2020 – Islamabad: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar held a meeting with Ehsaas team to track the status of Ehsaas Delivery System that is end to end digital. During the meeting, she thoroughly reviewed the status of implementation of more than 140 Ehsaas  actions, initiatives and programs. Secretary Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division (PASSD) and Additional Secretary PASSD were also present in the meeting.

Dec 9, 2020 – Islamabad: A meeting was held between the Advisor Finance and Revenue, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh and SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar at the Ministry of Finance in Islamabad. The Advisor Finance and Dr. Sania discussed different options with regard to the wheat subsidy. Secretary Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division Secretary Finance also joined the meeting.

Dec 8, 2020 – Islamabad: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar met with the Prime Minister Imran Khan to give an overview of the progress of several social protection and poverty alleviation initiatives under the umbrella of Ehsaas. The PM was briefed on the data analytics and data cleaning system within Ehsaas, status of Ehsaas Kafaalat payments and integrity promoting measures, phase wise execution of Ehsaas Survey, and the upcoming Ehsaas Tahafuz and One Window Ehsaas initiatives. Dr. Nishtar also briefed the PM about amendments being made in laws of Pakistan Bait ul Mal in terms of its mandate to support Panagahs.

Dec 8, 2020: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar along with Secretary Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division Muhammad Ali Shahzada convened a meeting to review preparations for Ehsaas Tahafuz. The Ehsaas team working on the upcoming program briefed Dr. Sania on progress for the pilot roll out of Tahafuz. Concluding the meeting, Dr. Sania commented, “Tahafuz is Pakistan’s first shock-oriented precision safety net being introduced under the umbrella of Ehsaas. We are close to completing Tahafuz operations to protect the vulnerable against catastrophic health expenditures.”

Dec 7, 2020: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar was invited to join the annual meeting of the SUN Lead Group (SLG) 2020 in her capacity as a lead group member. The participants met virtually to decide on the continuation of the SUN Movement into its next phase. The SLG is appointed by the United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres. Its 28 members guide the SUN Movement in its mission toward a world free from malnutrition, in all its forms, by 2030. Along with Dr. Sania Nishtar, other SLG members include; Akinwumi Ayodeji Adesina President of the African Development Bank from Nigeria, David Beasley Executive Director of the World Food Programme, Annette Dixon Vice President World Bank Group Human Resources from New Zealand, Chris Elias President Global Development of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Shenggen Fan Chair Professor of China Agricultural University from China, Henrietta H. Fore Executive Director of UNICEF and Chair of the SUN Movement Lead Group, Sophie Healy-Thow Youth Leader from Ireland, Shinichi Kitaoka President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency and several others.

Dec 5, 2020 – Mianwali: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar along with Ehsaas team made a visit to the Ehsaas Kafaalat campsite and ATM facilities in Mianwali to review payment operations in the district. At the campsite, she met with Kafaalat beneficiary women to identify payment issues and provide easy solutions. The visit also featured meetings with regional stakeholders, district administration and the partnering bank- HBL. Since the payments have begun at the start of this week, Dr. Sania and her team is in the field everyday to gain insights for improving the quality of the massive Ehsaas Kafaalat disbursal operations in the country.

Dec 4, 2020 – Islamabad: Safeguarding specialized measures to resolve payment issues being faced by recipients of Ehsaas Kafaalat, a web-portal has been launched by Ehsaas to receive complaints of biometric failures. The new portal has been designed to solicit applications of Kafaalat beneficiaries in an easy four-step process. As part of the complaint mechanism, Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners, staff of partnering banks- Habib Bank Limited and Alfalah Bank and field staff of Ehsaas will be able to generate complaint applications of biometric failures by entering full name, Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) number and contact number of beneficiary along with his or her own contact number to facilitate easy tracking and follow up. With the submission of online application, the portal instantaneously auto-generates the unique reference number for each Kafaalat applicant. Portal here.

Dec 4, 2020 – Rawalpindi: To meet Kafaalat beneficiaries and gain insights, SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar visited a school-site camp in Kallar Syedan Tehsil of Rawalpindi. During the visit, she met with women who were waiting for their turn to receive payment. She sat with them in the queue, listened to their problems, and assured easy solutions. She also advised the bank and Ehsaas regional staff to process payments speedily so that Kafaalat recipients do not have to wait too long for collecting their stipends. Senior representatives of district administration Rawalpindi were also present at the site.

Dec 4, 2020 – Islamabad: The President of Pakistan Dr. Aif Alvi convened two back-to-back meetings; one on financial inclusion for the differently abled and the other centered on financial inclusion for women. SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar and Governor State Bank of Pakistan Dr. Reza Baqir joined for the briefing since State Bank and Ehsaas have an important role in both areas. Other stakeholders including Chairman Pakistan Banks Association (PBA)/President Habib Bank Limited (HBL), Muhammad Aurangzeb and the CEOs/Presidents of 27 leading banks of the country also participated via video-link. Addressing the meeting, President Dr. Alvi emphasized that it was essential to bring differently-abled and women into the mainstream and empower them socio-economically.

Dec 3, 2020 – Attock: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar made a visit to Ehsaas Kafaalat payment camp in Hazro. At the site, she met with Kafaalat beneficiaries who were waiting for their turn to receive payment. “It was heartbreaking to hear the stories of women lining up to receive Kafaalat cash. Most of them were wives of daily wage earners and had a sick member in the family, but it was also deeply humbling to learn how much they value Ehsaas cash, said Dr. Sania while talking to media. Later, she met with Kafaalat recipients at Habib Bank’s ATM in Hazro to get their feedback on the quality of service. During the visit, she was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner of the area.

Dec 3, 2020 – Islamabad: This international day of special persons, the Ehsaas Kafaalat Policy is being expanded to benefit 2 million families with at least one disabled person. Taking to twitter @ImranKhanPTI, Prime Minister Imran Khan said, “Two million families will benefit under the new ‘Ehsaas Kafaalat Policy for Special Persons’. They will be eligible for a monthly stipend of Rs. 2000. This is a step toward a disability-inclusive, and sustainable post COVID-19 world.” The 7 million families which are currently eligible under Ehsaas Kafaalat fall under the poverty ranking threshold of 29 that is determined by the Proxy Means Test. Under the new “Ehsaas Kafaalat for Special Persons Policy”, this threshold is being increased to 37 for such households with at least one special person. These households will now be eligible to get Ehsaas Kafaalat cash. “Ehsaas believes in an inclusive approach to ensure that special persons in our society are not left behind and they can assess equal opportunities. Realizing the Ehsaas’ commitment to uplift the special persons, each family with a special person will now get Rs. 2000 per month through Kafaalat. Only one benefit per family will be given”, said SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar.

Dec 2, 2020 – Islamabad: Ehsaas convened a meeting with Provincial Minister for Health Punjab Dr. Yasmeen Rashid and Secretary Health Punjab. The meeting was chaired by SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar. The virtual session featured useful discussions to collaborate and ensure there is no duplication vis-a-vis Ehsaas Nashonuma and Nutrition Project of the provincial government of Punjab.

Dec 2, 2020 – Islamabad: To oversee Kafaalat cash withdrawals through ATM, Dr. Sania went to an HBL branch located at Melody Market in Islamabad. During the visit, she assessed the quality of cash withdrawal services through ATMs, interacted with Kafaalat beneficiaries and explained to them how to withdraw Kafaalat cash and check their balance on an ATM. “The Ehsaas digital payment system encourages women to go to biometric ATMs and branches of banks, empowering them through financial inclusion, said SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar while briefing media. “I would encourage Kafaalat beneficiary women to withdraw cash through ATM machines of designated partner banks, wherever possible. It will not just protect them from corrupt financial mistreatment, but bank branches and ATMs also serve them with a receipt detailing transparent record of available cash balance in their saving accounts”, she further added.

Dec 1, 2020 – Islamabad: The Ehsaas Kafaalat tranche for the period July 2020 – December 2020 has been released this week. With the release of Kafaalat tranche nationwide, biometrically enabled payment operations have also been mobilized in the entire country to serve Kafaalat recipients. To review arrangements, SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar made a visit to a Kafaalat Payment site in Tarnol area of Islamabad. At the site, she met with Kafaalat beneficiaries who had arrived to collect Rs. 12,000 payment for the period July 2020-December 2020. She also witnessed biometrically driven cash withdrawal demonstrations along with COVID-19 protective safeguards. Later in the day, Dr. Sania also visited Panagah (shelter home) being built in Tarnol. She took round of the site and reviewed the progress of construction work. Aon Abbas Buppi, Managing Director Pakistan Bait ul Mal gave an overview of the construction work being done at the site. PM’s Focal Person on Panagah Naseem ur Rehman and other senior officials were also present.

Nov 30, 2020: UNDP hosted a high-level webinar on ‘#NextGenGov- Whole of the Government Integrated Social Protection Policy Response to COVID-19’. The regional learning session brought together senior policymakers spearheading ‘whole of government’ approach in their social protection policies and systems to reflect on the lessons of COVID-19. Three countries were invited- Pakistan, Malaysia and Canada. Together with SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar, Dr. Jamila Mahmood, Advisor to the Prime Minister of Malaysia and Pia Andrews Advisor to Government of Canada shared the ‘whole of government’ experiences in their respective countries. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Sania outlined the experience of Ehsaas Emergency Cash and how the programme pioneered a new policy approach. She described how a ‘whole of the government approach was adopted to deliver emergency cash assistance to 15 million vulnerable countywide.

Nov 30, 2020 -Islamabad: With the commencement of Ehsaas Kafaalat tranche countrywide,  SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar met with the Ehsaas team to review operational matters first thing in the morning. “Integrity and transparency is our core priority in these operations, she emphasized. Later in the day, Dr. Sania virtually convened operational meeting with field stakeholders. “This time we are encouraging beneficiaries of Ehsaas Kafaalat to also use ATMs for receiving payments. The first report from the field (Punjab & Sindh) after a few minutes of opening of payments shows more withdrawals from ATMs compared with withdrawals through agents”, said Dr. Sania while addressing the meeting.

Nov 30, 2020 – Islamabad: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar was called on by Julien Harneis, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Pakistan at Ehsaas Headquarters in Islamabad. The meeting was just a courtesy call. Secretary BISP Yusuf Khan was also present on the occasion. Thanking the UN Resident Coordinator for his visit, Dr. Sania said, “Ehsaas values its collaboration with the UN system.”

Nov 30, 2020 – Islamabad: A meeting was held between SAPM Dr. Sanai Nishtar and Minister for information & Broadcasting Shibli Faraz to review Ehsaas’ beneficiary centred and instructional-in-nature communications strategy. The meeting explored how best the two Ministries could exploit synergy with regard to the role of Ehsaas communications. In the meeting, Secretary Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division, Secretary Ministry for Information and Broadcasting, Principal Information Officer and other senior officials from Ehsaas and Information Ministry were also present.

Nov 27, 2020 -Islamabad: Prime Minister visited the Ehsaas Kafaalat Payment site at Jinnah Sports Complex in Islamabad to kick off payments to 7 million beneficiaries. SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar briefed the PM about several measures that have been taken to improve the quality of payments and to ensure protection against cyber-attacks. This time round, women can access banks and take money out from ATMs. The Ehsaas Kafaalat payment will be made in phases. Phase-I has commenced today where payments would start for 4.3 million women beneficiaries. Each beneficiary will be paid Rs. 12,000 covering the period Jul-Dec 2020. PM has already given approval to increase this number to 7 million women. Payments to additional beneficiaries will be made Dec 2020 onwards and the process will be completed in the current fiscal year. During the visit, the PM was also shown the trial run of the operations of “Ehsaas One Woman One Bank Account”. From next year onwards, Ehsaas Kafaalat beneficiaries will have the option of either drawing their money or saving money into digital wallets.

November 26, 2020: Dr. Sania Nishtar, SAPM on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation held a virtual meeting with Gerda Verburg, Coordinator and UN Assistant Secretary-General, Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement in Geneva, Switzerland. The meeting discussed several important matters related to Nutrition. The SUN Movement Secretariat is based in Geneva and is responsible for liaising with SUN Countries and ensuring the catalytic spirit of the Movement is embedded in the efforts of all actors.

November 25, 2020: Aga Khan University Institute for Global Health and Development hosted a webinar on Women in Science and Global Health. Dr. Sania Nishtar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation was invited to speak at the webinar alongside Anita Zaidi Professor, Division of Women and Child Health, AKU and President of Gender Equality, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The event was moderated by Dr. Zulfiqar A. Bhutta, distinguished University Professor & Founding Director, Institute for Global Health and Development, Aga Khan University.

Nov 25, 2020 -Islamabad: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar was invited to speak as a guest of honour at an event hosted virtually by UNICEF Pakistan. The theme of the event was, “Together for babies born too soon – Caring for the future.” Speaking at the event, Dr. Sania shared details about the recently launched Ehsaas Nashonuma programme with a view to building synergy. Other speakers included Dr. Nausheen Hamid from Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination, Prof. Dr. Irfan Waheed Head of Neonatology at Children’s Hospital Lahore, Prof. Dr. Syeda Batool Head of Gynaecology at PIMS Islamabad, Prof. Dr. Rubina Sohail Head of Gynaecology at Services Hospital Lahore and Aida Girma Country Representative UNICEF Pakistan.

Nov 25, 2020 – Islamabad: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar along with senior official of Ehsaas connected with Chief Secretary KP and Provincial Minister of Education KP in a high-level virtual meeting. The meeting discussed progress and constraints with regard to the Ehsaas survey underway in KP under the new model. “With regular stocktakes, the already good momentum of the Ehsaas Survey will accelerate further”, commented Dr. Nishtar. She also thanked the KP government for all their support and facilitation in the execution of the Ehsaas survey across the province.

November 24, 2020 – Islamabad: The BBC has revealed its list of 100 inspiring and influential women from around the world for 2020. This year 100 Women is highlighting those who are leading change and making a difference during these turbulent times. This is an absolute honour for Pakistan that this year’s BBC list includes SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar, who leads Ehsaas programme along with Sanna Marin, who leads Finland’s all-female coalition government and Sarah Gilbert, who heads the Oxford University research into a coronavirus vaccine. This distinction has been conferred upon Dr. Sania for her work and contribution in poverty alleviation, global health and development. “The dramatic impact of Covid-19 presents us with a once-in-a-generation chance to build a fairer world and bring an end to poverty, inequality and the climate crisis. For this, women must be equal, empowered stakeholders”, said Dr. Sania. The list of BBC 100 Women can be accessed here.

November 23, 2020 – Islamabad: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar met with UNDP Pakistan team led by Tariq Malik, Chief Technical Advisor on Digital Governance. The meeting aimed to think through ways in which digital interventions can help Ehsaas in improving quality of Ehsaas survey data, case management, and grievance redressal systems.

Nov 23, 2020 – Islamabad: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar convened a half-a-day meeting with Secretary Yusuf Khan to review the three year technology transformation plan for Ehsaas program. The technology transformational plan was presented by the new DG technology. The review meeting took stock of the progress so far and discussed clear milestones for the next three years.

Nov 21, 2020 – Peshawar: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar together with Ehsaas team officials visited Peshawar today to track Ehsaas Survey interventions rolled out three months back as part of the new survey model in KP. While in the provincial capital, Dr. Nishtar was briefed about the progress of an ongoing Ehsaas National Socioeconomic Registry Survey operations in various districts of KP including Malakand, Karak, Tank, D.I. Khan, Bannu, Hangu, Kohat, Swabi and Peshawar. Following the briefing, she went to an Ehsaas Survey site at Sikandarabad, Peshawar to oversee the ongoing Ehsaas survey activities. At the site, she witnessed the Ehsaas survey demonstration with  a local household and made an appeal to families across the country. “Please collaborate with survey staff when they come to your houses and help them access data, which becomes the basis of the socioeconomic status and that determines eligibility/entitlements with regard to the Ehsaas program”, she said.

Nov 21, 2020 – Peshawar: Ehsaas’ partnering bank, Bank Alfalah had organized a series of technical training sessions this week for their retail agents in KP, GB and AJK. This training was part of preparations for the upcoming tranche of Ehsaas Kafaalat to be released next week. The training sessions basically aimed to train the Bank Alfalah retail agents to better execute digital payments to Ehsaas beneficiaries in the field. To connect with the bank’s retail agents from the field, SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar visited a training site in Peshawar. During the visit, she interacted with the Bank Alfalah staff and retail agents and listened to their experiences with regard to the biometrically enabled Ehsaas Kafaalat disbursements in the field. Dr. Nishtar advised retail agents to ensure utmost transparency in making cash disbursements to the Ehsaas Kafaalat families. Bank Alfalah is responsible for Ehsaas disbursements to Kafaalat beneficiaries in KP, GB and AJK.

Nov 20, 2020 – Islamabad: Ehsaas’ partnering bank, Habib Bank Limited (HBL) had organized a series of technical training sessions this week for their Konnect retail agents in Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan. This training was part of preparations for the upcoming tranche of Ehsaas Kafaalat to be released next week. The training basically aimed to train the HBL Konnect retail agents to better execute digital payments to Ehsaas beneficiaries in the field. To connect with retail agents from the field, SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar visited a training site in Islamabad. During the visit, she interacted with the HBL staff and Konnect retail agents and listened to their experiences on the biometrically enabled Ehsaas Kafaalat disbursements in the field. Dr. Nishtar advised retail agents to ensure utmost transparency in making cash disbursements to the Ehsaas Kafaalat families. HBL is responsible for Ehsaas disbursements to Kafaalat beneficiaries in Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan.

November 18, 2020 – Islamabad: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar chaired a meeting with the team working on the design of the Ehsaas Tahafuz pilot. The meeting reviewed the integrity and transparency features of Ehsaas Tahafuz program. “Giving priority to transparency is key in forthcoming Ehsaas Tahafuz. We are making sure the system is fully watertight from integrity perspective”, said Dr. Nishtar. The Ehsaas team has been working for the last year and a half to set up institutional arrangements and the technological backbone for this shock oriented safety net under the Ehsaas umbrella. Tahafuz aims to protect people from catastrophic health expenditures and is being pilot tested in one hospital, this quarter, following which it will be scaled up in the last quarter of the year 2020-21.

November 17, 2020 – Islamabad: Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division and Ministry of National Food Security and Research came to the table to explore partnership options. SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar chaired the meeting at Ehsaas offices in Islamabad. The meeting discussed ways about how the two Federal Ministries could exploit synergies to serve people better. Secretary Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division, Muhammad Ali Shahzada and Secretary National Food Security and Research, Ghufran Memon were also in attendance. The Ministry of National Food Security & Research is mainly responsible for policy formulation, economic coordination and planning in respect of food grain and agriculture.

November 16, 2020 – Islamabad: The Prime Minister chaired a meeting of the Policy Committee overseeing the Prime Minister’s COVID Relief Fund to review fund utilization details. The fund was established in March 2020 to raise funds for COVID 19 affectees. The fund received generous donations from within Pakistan and overseas. 4.8 Billion accumulated in the fund of which 1.08 was donated by international donors and 3.8 billion was contributed domestically. Earlier this year, the PM had publicly announced two policies with respect to this fund, committing that these funds would be disbursed through Ehsaas Emergency Cash to assist COVID 19 job loss affectees. Secondly, a “matching funds policy” was announced which stipulated that for every rupee donated into the fund, Rs. 4 would be matched by the Government. To fulfill this promise, Rs. 19.55 Billion have been matched by the Government—in total 24.43 billion. This amount has supported 2 million families, each of which received Rs. 12,000 each as Ehsaas Emergency cash through this funding stream (out of the total of 15 million who received Ehsaas Emergency cash).

Nov 14, 2020 – Islamabad: Prime Minister Imran Khan has granted approval to increase the number of beneficiary households of the Ehsaas Kafaalat program from 4.6 million to 7 million. PM’s approval came in a meeting regarding preparations for the Ehsaas Kafaalat. Addressing the meeting, the PM said that the pandemic has adversely affected the poor populations and there is a dire need for furthering the scope of the Ehsaas program. SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar briefed the meeting that the COVID-19 crisis has increased the adversities of the marginalized segments worldwide and many countries have provided economic packages for the public good. She said that Pakistan is one of those countries which successfully fought against the pandemic and emergency cash assistance allocated by the government for the public welfare are being widely lauded by international organizations and the United Nations. The meeting was also attended by PM’s Finance Adviser Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and other senior officers. The Ehsaas Kafaalat is a flagship social protection program of the government that provides monthly cash stipend of Rs. 2,000 along with saving bank account to the disadvantaged women across the country.

November 13, 2020 – Turbat: The Prime Minister during his visit to Turbat was briefed by SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar about the nation-wide rollout of Ehsaas’ Taleemi-wazaef for primary school going children under Waseela-e-Taleem Digital program. The PM joined the children and their parents to witness new enrolments of deserving children in Waseela-e-Taleem Digital. Following a briefing on the recent deep-rooted reforms introduced in Waseela e Taleem Digital under the umbrella of Ehsaas, Prime Minister oversaw details of a girl child being entered in the end-to-end digital system. At the site, he also witnessed the payment being made to the child’s mother. PM also inaugurated newly established Dar-ul-Ehsaas for the orphans and poor children of southern Balochistan where free shelter, food and education would be provided. He also met with students of Turbat University who were awarded Ehsaas undergraduate scholarships last year.

Nov 12, 2020: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar joined the ‘Future of Development Strategy Lab on Futures and Complexity’ hosted by UNDP New York. Future of Development Lab brought together a diverse mix of experts from very different professions and walks of life to explore possible future trajectories for development. Other international experts included Aaron Maniam from Singapore,  Achim Steiner from Germany, Anne Marie Slaughter from USA, Azeem Ahar from UK, Sir Geoff Mulgan from UK, Herve Berville from France, Ian Goldin from South Africa, Luiz Alberto Oliveira from Brazil, Rebecca Ennonchong from Cameroon and Yoko Akama from Japan. The discussions revolved around different perspectives on possible futures, emerging trends and issues that will affect the international agenda and the choices leaders will have to make to adapt to this endlessly dynamic COVID-19 pandemic environment. The Strategy Lab has been set up by UNDP as an informal conversation among the participants.

Nov 12, 2020 – Islamabad: While unveiling details about nationwide rollout of Waseela-e-Taleem, under the Ehsaas umbrella, SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar addressed a news conference. She stated that PM will launch Ehsaas ‘Taleemi-Wazaef’ tomorrow in Balochistan which will aid out of school children nationwide. Pakistan has been running an Education Conditional Cash Transfer for primary school going children called Waseela-e-Taleem since 2012 in selected districts. Now, this program is being expanded nationwide, representing a major quantum change. Sharing further details of the reformed program, Dr. Nishtar said, “Over the last year and a half, a comprehensive and deep-rooted reform was designed and deployed as a result of which far reaching changes have been made in the program. First, end-to-end digitization of a number of processes, which were previously managed manually. Secondly, cost-effective changes institutional infrastructure was developed to expand this program nationwide and reliance on NGOs was eliminated. Because of this, operational cost has been reduced from 8% to 3%. Third, the stipend given to children has been modified as per Ehsaas’ new Stipend policy. Children of poorest families will now be provided conditional cash grants of Rs. 1,500 for boy child and Rs. 2,000 per quarter for girl child on attainment of 70% attendance in school. Finally, and most importantly, the program is being expanded to all districts of the country.” Full Footage here.

Nov 11, 2020: SAPM Dr. Sania together with Ehsaas officials convened a consultative meeting with Asian Development Bank (ADB) team led by Shixin Chen, Vice President, ADB. The meeting featured discussions to explore options for collaboration between Ehsaas and ADB in future. Xiaohong Yang, Country Director ADB Pakistan was also present. Participants joined the meeting both physically and virtually.

Nov 11, 2020: A meeting was held between Ehsaas and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to discuss possible transition of Ehsaas digital payment system to the SBP led Micropayment Gateway. The meeting was chaired by SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar. From SBP, Dr. Reza Baqir, Governor came to the table along with Sima Kamil, Deputy Governor.

Nov 11, 2020: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar convened a meeting with Habib Bank Limited (HBL) team led by President HBL Muhammad Aurangzeb. HBL is a partnering bank of Ehsaas for biometrically enabled digital payments to Kafaalat beneficiaries across Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan. The meeting discussed the working modalities of the upcoming release of Ehsaas Kafaalat tranche in the next week. The tranche will be comprised of Rs. 12,000 each for Kafaalat beneficiaries covering a period of six months (July 2020- Dec 2020).

Nov 11, 2020- Islamabad: At the National Consultative & Advocacy meeting on Trans Fat Elimination in Pakistan, SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar was invited to address the keynote. The meeting was co-hosted by Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination and World Health Organization. Keynoting the event, SAPM Dr. Nishtar emphasized on the critical need to finalize an updated National Action Plan and achieve consensus among all key stakeholders on legislative and administrative actions required for TFA elimination in Pakistan.

Nov 10, 2020 – Islamabad: The 43^rd board meeting of BISP was held at the BISP headquarters under the chair of SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar. BISP is one of the 34 implementing agencies of Ehsaas. The board deliberated upon an extensive 19-item agenda including expansion of Ehsaas Nashonuma, opening of mobile wallets for Ehsaas One Woman One Account initiative, establishment of Cyber Crime Control Wing, agreement with NADRA to ensure easy payments to next of kins under Ehsaas Kafaalat, constitution of steering committees for Ehsaas Nashonuma and Ehsaas Talemi-Wazaef and accident insurance coverage for monitoring teams of Ehsaas Talemi-Wazaef. A vibrant discussion took place, deep dive analysis was carried out and many important decisions were taken in the meeting. The board meeting was attended by Yusuf Khan Secretary BISP, Muhammad Ali Shahzada Secretary Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division, Ghufran Memon Secretary Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination, Additional Secretary (Exp.) Finance Division, and representatives of NADRA and EAD. Amongst private sector members, Zaffar A. Khan, Qazi Azmat Isa and Khawar Mumtaz attended the meeting.

November 9, 2020 -Islamabad: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar was a chief guest and keynote speaker at a virtual conference on ‘Poverty Alleviation, COVID-19, and CPEC’ co-hosted by Pakistan-China Institute (PCI) and Center for Chinese Legal Studies, Lahore University for Management Sciences (LUMS) as part of PCI’s ‘Friends of Silk Road’ Initiative. The conference hosted eminent speakers from Pakistan and China and a large audience consisting of students, faculty, and researchers from all over Pakistan. Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Poverty Alleviation, The conference featured an insightful discussion on Pakistan’s existing Poverty Alleviation Strategy, COVID-19’s impact on Pakistan’s fight against poverty, and CPEC’s role vis-à-vis alleviating poverty in the neighbouring countries. The main purpose of the conference was to explore the Poverty Alleviation Strategy of China in an attempt to understand how Pakistan can learn from and employ China’s best practices. Dr. Sania Nishtar shared Ehsaas’ poverty alleviation strategy and termed that framing the issue of poverty with the Chinese experience is a ‘welcome and relevant initiative’.

Nov 9, 2020 – Islamabad: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar was invited as a chief guest at a dinner hosted by the British Council in honour of the Federation of the Royal Colleges of Physicians UK team for bringing first ever MRCP (UK)  Clinical exams, PACES to Pakistan. Dr. Sania who herself is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of London was pleased to see the highly prestigious MRCP exam starting in Pakistan. Other distinguished guests included Amir Ramzan Country Director British Council, Lt. Gen. Nigar Johar Surgeon General and Maj. Gen. Imran Fazal Director General Medicine Pakistan Army. From the Federation of Royal Colleges of Physicians UK, a very senior team of examiners including Dr. Donald Farquhar International Medical Director for MRCP Exams, Prof. Charles Twort, Dr. Peter Newman, Dr. Tanzeem Raza O.B.E. and Dr. Roderick Harvey were joined by their team in Pakistan led by Prof. Aamir Ghafoor Khan Lead Examiner for PACES in Pakistan and Head of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar. In Pakistan, the Federation of Royal Colleges of Physicians UK conducted the clinical exam of the MRCP UK between Nov 6-8, 2020. Pakistan is the first country in the world where these international exams have been held in an era of COVID-19.

November 7, 2020: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar was asked to keynote the National Finals #SheLovesTech 2020; a globally acclaimed women-centric technology start-up competition in Pakistan. CIRCLE, a revolutionary tech start-up from Pakistan, organized National Finals, now the largest in the world. Connecting with incredible women entrepreneurs leading tech start-ups, Dr. Sania stated, “Economic empowerment of women is central to the agenda of Ehsaas.” In this edition, CIRCLE  hosted #SheLovesTech in 10 cities (Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad Sukkur, Multan, and Faisalabad etc) across Pakistan, in addition to AJK, while working with different NGOs, academic institutes, incubators and ecosystem partners across the country. CIRCLE also brought key incubators and stakeholders on board to execute the local rounds of the competition.  CIRCLE was supported by HBL, Pakistan’s leading bank to take #SheLovesTech Pakistan and grow women in technology.

November 7, 2020 – Islamabad: To monitor compliance to Ehsaas Governance and Integrity Policy and track progress, SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar convened a meeting attended by the ancillary organizations of the Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division (PASSD) namely BISP, Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal, Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund, Trust for Voluntary Organizations and Higher Education Commission. From PASSD, Muhammad Ali Shehzada, Secretary PASSD, Dr. Ismat Tahira, Additional Secretary PASSD along with senior officials also joined the meeting. Chairing the meeting, Dr. Sania said, “The meeting is part of regular Ehsaas reviews to assess status of compliance and progress against the Governance and Integrity Policy baseline before final one-year stock take that will be conducted in Dec 2020.” She then continued, “Implementation of the Ehsaas Governance Policy and Observatory is underway since last year. Since the roll out of the governance policy and observatory, the Ehsaas entities have shown improvements in the execution of the governance reforms and we are trying to make their systems as robust as possible. Transparency and integrity is at the heart of policy and observatory.”

November 6, 2020 – Islamabad: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Sania Nishtar and Federal Minister for Power, Omar Ayub Khan convened a meeting to work out modalities of using Ehsaas data for power subsidies. Secretary Power Division, Ali Raza Bhutta and other senior officials were also present.

November 6, 2020 – Islamabad: Ehsaas organized a virtual consultative meeting with experts from the World Bank to explore options around indexation of cash transfers in the Ehsaas Kafaalat programme. SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar chaired the meeting. “A policy decision on the indexation of cash transfers is critical in the context of COVID-19 related economic impact”, said Dr. Sania.

November 5, 2020 – Islamabad: SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar made a visit to Ehsaas Women Empowerment Center (WEC) in Burma Town, Islamabad. The WEC operates under the supervision of Pakistan Bait ul Mal that is one of the four main executing agencies of Ehsaas. At the centre, Dr. Nishtar met with deserving yet talented girls and women who were enrolled in complimentary skills training courses- computer literacy, beautician, dress designing and making, and hand and machine embroidery etc. She listened to the voices, concerns and suggestions of the girls. During the visit, the SAPM was joined by Secretary Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division and Managing Director Pakistan Baitul Mal. As part of major reforms brought under Ehsaas, the training courses offered by all 157 WECs in the country will be certified by National Technology Board by the end of this year. This will significantly enhance the credibility and acceptance of the women’s livelihoods skills in local economy. Every year, as many as 250 girls are graduated from each WEC to start their business or a job.

Nov 4, 2020 – Islamabad: Ehsaas team working on the upcoming Tahafuz came to table under the chair of SAPM Dr. Sania Nishtar to review and brush up the pilot execution plan of the programme. Secretary Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division (PASSD) and Additional Secretary PASSD were also present. “Extensive one-year long work has been done on Ehsaas Tahafuz, Pakistan’s first shock-oriented precision safety net. This programme is aimed at protecting people from catastrophic health expenditures and is being pilot tested in one hospital, this quarter, following which it will be upscaled in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year 2020-21”, said Dr. Nishtar.