The minister said that more than 10 million digital wallets have already been created under the Benazir Income Support Programme.
ISLAMABAD:
The National Assembly was informed on Wednesday that approximately 3.9 million beneficiaries have enrolled in the ‘Nashonuma Programme’ over the past five years to address the issue of stunting.
Responding to questions during Question Hour, Poverty Alleviation and Social Security Minister Syed Imran Ahmad Shah said the registered beneficiaries include two million children and 1.8 million pregnant women.
Citing an impact evaluation conducted by the Aga Khan University, the minister said the program has had a significant effect in reducing stunting.
According to the results of the midline study, stunting among children under two years of age has decreased by 6.4%, while stunting within the six-month age group has decreased by a “huge” 20%. He added that low birth weight has been reduced by 5.6%, while early initiation of breastfeeding has increased by 11.6%.
Shah informed the house that the programme, initially piloted in 15 districts, has now been expanded to the entire country. It is currently operational in 157 districts through 542 facilitation centres. He clarified that at the moment there are no plans for further expansion of Nashonuma.
The minister said that more than 10 million digital wallets have already been created under the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), and SIM distribution is underway. He assured that by March 2026, beneficiaries will no longer have to wait in long lines or face deductions and complaints, since payments will be completely digitalized.
