IMF for a program of social assistance in addition to BISP

'Approval of $1.1bn finance for Pakistan on April 29' is what the IMF executive board would be discussing

In addition to the Benazir Income Support Program, Pakistan has been requested by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to administer a social program for the underprivileged (BISP).

According to the IMF, Pakistan should continue to work on social programs and implement more social security measures for the country’s weakest segments. Safe gas and electricity tariffs for the most vulnerable groups must to be maintained as well. The IMF claims that while the caretaker administration was able to fulfill the September objective for health and education spending this fiscal year, capacity constraints prevented it from meeting the December target. Spending on social security should be maintained by the elected government through the end of the fiscal year.

The IMF claims that the finest emergency assistance program is BISP, although there is room for improvement in the program’s distribution method and transparency, thus the administrative structure needs to be strengthened.