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Ehsaas Programme
AbbreviationBISP (NSER)
FormationMarch 27, 2019; 4 years ago (2019-03-27)
FounderGovernment of Pakistan
Founded atIslamabad
TypeSocial safety net
HeadquartersIslamabad
Location
  • All over Pakistan Ehsaas Payment Center, Pakistan
MethodsDonations, scholarship
OwnerGovernment of Pakistan
Chairperson of BISP (NSER)
Vacant

Ehsaas Programme (Urdu: احساس پروگرام lit. 'Compassion') is a social safety net and poverty alleviation programme formerly known as the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) launched by the Government of Pakistan in 2019.[1][2] Imran Khan, the then Prime Minister of Pakistan, called it a key initiative towards a welfare state that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party had promised to the people of Pakistan in their election manifesto.[3] It is aimed at uplifting the backward class, reducing inequality, investing in the masses, and lifting the lagging districts in the country.[4]

A separate ministry was established under the Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division, which is headed by the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister serving as chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme.[5] As of 2021, the Ehsaas Programme has two major pillars, one is Ehsaas Emergency Cash (introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic) and the other is Ehsaas Kafalat, the latter programme expanded its coverage from 7 million people to 10 million people in 2021.[6]

The Ehsaas Emergency Cash programme was Khan's flagship welfare policy during the COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan; it received praise from the World Bank, which listed it amongst the top global social protection measures, and said that it ranked highly in terms of actual coverage rates compared to planned coverage rates.[7] During the COVID-19 pandemic, the welfare programme covered millions of lower-income Pakistani families with monthly stipends handed out to 13.2 million people.[8]

Background

Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf contested in the 2018 Pakistani general elections and promised in his party manifesto to launch different social safety programmes consisting of 16 programs and improve the Benazir Income Support Programme to cover a much larger portion of the population through digitization and specific targeting.[9]

Objective

Ehsaas Programme was the flagship social protection mean to lead towards a welfare state that is embodied in the Constitution of Pakistan. Its aim was to create precision safety nets; promote financial inclusion and access to digital services; support women's economic empowerment; focus on the central role of human capital formation for poverty eradication, economic growth, and sustainable development; and overcome financial barriers to accessing health and post-secondary education.[4] Article 38(D) in the chapter Principles of Policy of the Constitution of Pakistan is about the promotion of the social and economic well-being of the people. Through Amendements to the Constitution of Pakistan, the government vowed to make food, clothing, housing, education, and medical relief as fundamental rights of the citizens and the duty of the state.[10][11]

Eligibility

The programme is for the extremely poor, orphans, widows, the homeless, the disabled, those who risk medical impoverishment, the jobless, poor farmers, laborers, the sick and undernourished, students from low-income backgrounds, and poor women and elderly citizens. This plan is also about lifting lagging areas where poverty is higher.[1]

Programme structure

Ehsaas was formally launched on 27 March 2019 by the federal government. It included different social safety programs like Ehsaas Emergency Cash Program, Ehsaas Panaah Gah, Ehsaas Taleemi Wazif, Ehsaas Petrol Card, Ehsaas Ration Riyaat, and Ehsaas Scholarships, among others, that are aimed to uplift the social security of masses. Its poverty reduction strategy is articulated in four pillars and embodies 134 policy actions.[1] The key initiatives include Ehsaas Kafaalat, Ehsaas Aamdan, Ehsaas Emergency Cash during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ehsaas Scholarships, Ehsaas Cash Assistance for Women, and Ehsaas Free Atta, among others.[12] Benazir Income Support Programme was also made the part of Poverty Alleviation and Social Security Division.[13]

Reception

Ehsaas programme has been viewed as a success by national and international experts.[14] It helped bring a positive change and is seen as a global model for poverty reduction.[15][16] The World Bank doubled its assistance for the programme after seeing the progress, and declared it a role model for other countries.[17][18] Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme during the COVID-19 pandemic in the country successfully protected the poor and daily wagers who were affected by lockdowns by providing cash disbursements.[19][20] Sania Nishtar has been accredited as the person behind the programme's success.[21]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Ehsaas". EHSAAS PROGRAMME. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  2. ^ Dawn.com (27 March 2019). "'Ehsas': PM Khan launches ambitious social safety, poverty alleviation programme". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  3. ^ "Ehsaas programme a step towards the creation of a welfare state: Imran". Daily Times. 9 April 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  4. ^ a b "EHSAAS PROGRAMME: PRIME MINISTER'S POLICY STATEMENT". www.pakistan.gov.pk. Archived from the original on 12 April 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  5. ^ "Sania Nishtar appointed Special Assistant to PM". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  6. ^ "Beneficiaries under Ehsaas Kafalat programme increased to 10 MLN: Sania Nishtar". 14 February 2008.
  7. ^ "World Bank lists Ehsaas Cash Programme among top global social protection measures".
  8. ^ "Rs160.43 billion distributed under Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme | SAMAA". 27 July 2020.
  9. ^ "Imran Khan launches PTI manifesto for election 2018". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  10. ^ "Ehsaas Strategy" (PDF). www.pass.gov.pk. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 March 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  11. ^ Yasin, Aamir (28 March 2019). "Imran launches ambitious scheme to reduce poverty". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  12. ^ "Ehsaas Programs". www.pass.gov.pk. Archived from the original on 27 November 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  13. ^ Shaheen, BR Web Desk | Sardar Sikander (1 March 2020). "BISP to function under federal government's Ehsaas Kifalat Programme". Brecorder. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  14. ^ Qureshi, Raiq (10 December 2020). "Ehsaas becomes a global model for reducing poverty, Sir Michael Babar report says". Associated Press Of Pakistan. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  15. ^ Mian, Bakhtawar (11 December 2020). "Ehsaas bringing positive change to Pakistan: report". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  16. ^ "Ehsaas Program a global model for reducing poverty". The Nation. 11 December 2020. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  17. ^ News Desk (14 December 2020). "WB doubles assistance for Ehsaas Programme, PM told". Profit by Pakistan Today. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  18. ^ "PM directs to further expand Ehsaas Program". Dunya News. 14 February 2008. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  19. ^ "Success story: PM's Ehsaas initiative protects vulnerable amid pandemic". The Express Tribune. 25 July 2020. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  20. ^ Uploader (25 July 2020). "Smart lockdown policy worked successfully to protect vulnerable segments from hunger through Ehsaas". Associated Press Of Pakistan. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  21. ^ "Ehsaas stirs up a genuine Pakistani revolution". The Express Tribune. 26 December 2020. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
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