Can BISP help poor families start small businesses?

The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) is Pakistan’s biggest welfare program. Since 2008, it has helped poor families—especially women—by giving them money every three months. Most people use this money for food, medicine, and school fees. But can BISP also help them start small businesses and become self-reliant?

Let’s break it down.

How BISP Works

BISP gives cash directly to women from low-income families. It helps them with basic needs, but it’s not enough to start a proper business. That’s why BISP also introduced training and loan programs to help people earn money.

Small Business Efforts

Some families save a bit from their BISP money and try small activities like:

• Stitching clothes at home

• Selling snacks or groceries

• Raising chickens or goats

• Making handmade items

But because the money is limited, it’s hard to start or grow a business properly.

Skill Training with Waseela-e-Rozgar

To help people earn, BISP launched Waseela-e-Rozgar, a short training program. Courses included:

• Electrician work

• Sewing and embroidery

• Mobile repair

• Plumbing and hairdressing

However, the program had problems:

• Courses didn’t always match local job needs

• Training centers lacked good teachers or tools

• Many women couldn’t join due to family or travel issues

• No follow-up help after training

As a result, few people got jobs or started businesses after the training.

Micro-Loans with Waseela-e-Haq

BISP also offered small loans through Waseela-e-Haq to help trained people start businesses. These loans could be used for tools or a small shop. But:

• Only a few people got the loans

• Loan amounts were too small

• No business guidance was given

• People didn’t fully understand loan rules

So, most small businesses failed or never started.

What Changed for Families?

Short-term success:

• More food and medicines

• Children stayed in school

• Women gained some control over money

• Families didn’t have to send kids to work

Long-term problems:

• Few people became self-employed

• Most businesses didn’t last long

• Families stayed dependent on BISP

What’s the Main Problem?

1. Not enough money to start real businesses

2. Training doesn’t match local job needs

3. No mentors to guide people

4. Social restrictions, especially for women

5. Lack of basic business knowledge

How to Make BISP Better for Business

• Give better training: Based on local jobs, shorter, and home-based

• Provide real support: Bigger loans or small grants with clear plans

• Build a network: Peer groups, mentors, and mobile help apps

• Follow up: Track what works and improve programs accordingly

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