🥦 BISP’s Real Impact on Food and Nutrition in Pakistan – July 2025 Update

Millions of families in Pakistan are barely able to afford food. High prices and low wages keep many children malnourished. The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) was created to benefit low-income households, particularly women. But can a regular cash transfer really contribute to greater food security and nutrition?

Let’s see how BISP influences what poor families buy to eat—and how it can do even more in 2025.

🍛 What Does Food Security Really Mean?

Food security is having sufficient access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food. It encompasses:

Availability – Is the food available in local markets or shops?
Affordability – Are families able to purchase it on a regular basis?
Utilization – Are they consuming an equitable, nutritious diet?

Without all three, children can experience malnutrition, stunted growth, and ill health.

🧕 How BISP Works for Poor Families

Under the Benazir Kafalat Programme, poor women are given Rs. 13,500 every three months. The purpose is to assist with household expenditure. For most families, it is the only income they receive.

When a mother gets money in cash, she tends to spend it on:

Basic staples
Children’s schooling
Medications and health care
Utility bills or rent

But the question remains: Does this cash translate into healthier eating?

📈 Early Positive Changes

In the initial couple of years of BISP:

Households purchased more food.
Pulses, fruits, and eggs and meat were added to diets by some of them.
Children’s diets improved where nutritious food was accessible.

These are positive signs. But alas, the same improvement wasn’t seen everywhere.

❌ Where It Falls Short

Even in 2025, some locations continue to reflect low levels of nutrition, even among BISP households. Why?

Small Stipends: Rs. 13,500 per quarter is beneficial but perhaps not sufficient.
No Access to Fresh Food: In villages, vegetables, fruits, and milk might be unavailable.
Other Priorities: Many households utilize the money for loans, crises, or non-food products.

🍼 Nashonuma – A Focused Nutrition Program

For better nutrition, BISP introduced a new initiative: Nashonuma.

It aims at:

Pregnant and lactating women
Children aged up to 2 years

Nashonuma provides:

Monthly cash + nutrition advice
Health check-ups
Free vitamins and fortified food

It is a wonderful initiative, but it’s not yet available in all districts.

🛑 Common Challenges in BISP and Nutrition

1. Cash Isn’t Always Enough
Even with funds, families are unable to purchase good food if it’s unaffordable or not accessible.

2. Lack of Awareness
Some mothers don’t know what constitutes a balanced diet. They would give children tea and bread only.

3. Other Needs First
If medicine, school bills, or bills are pressing, food expenditures get sidelined.

✅ What Actually Works?

BISP optimally functions when cash assistance is supplemented with:

Nutrition Education: Educate mothers about preparing nutritious meals.
Affordable Local Food: Establish government-subsidized markets.
Health Services: Provide medical check-ups and growth monitoring.
Community Programs: Conduct cooking classes and awareness activities.

This holistic approach results in tangible, sustainable outcomes.

📢 What Can the Government Do?

Increase quarterly disbursements to keep pace with increasing inflation.
Scale up Nashonuma across all 36 districts of Punjab and other provinces.
Train BISP officials and Lady Health Workers in basic nutrition education.
Enhance food supply chains in rural and poor urban settings.

🟢 Final Words

The Benazir Income Support Programme is a lifeline for Pakistan’s poor. It enables women to manage their households, feed their children, and cover daily expenses. But money alone won’t do the job.

Pakistan must complement money with education, awareness, and access to cheap food in order to overcome child malnutrition. Initiatives like Nashonuma are already paying dividends. It is time to expand them.

With the proper adjustments, BISP can be not only a poverty program—but an instrument for creating a healthier, stronger Pakistan.