Netherlands queen praises BISP

E-Paper | March 14, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Queen Maxima of the Netherlands spent a busy day on Wednesday in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi and visited some public and private sector institutions providing financial aid and other services to the poor.

Talking to journalists after her visit to the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) office in Rawalpindi, the queen said that she was impressed by the programme designed to help the poorest section of society.

Visiting Pakistan in her capacity as UN Secretary General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development, the queen said Pakistan was very well-positioned to include all Pakistanis in the overall economic process.

BISP Chairperson Marvi Memon briefed the guest on various initiatives launched by the organisation. She said that the number of people benefiting from the BISP had crossed 5.2 million.

Published in Dawn, February 11th, 2016

Pakistan

Amin Ahmed is an Islamabad-based correspondent for Dawn with nearly two decades of experience in the field. He reports on socio-economic development, agriculture, and privatisation, as well as parliamentary committees.

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>:)

Feb 11, 2016 07:56am

Does this programme even benefit the poor? Or they did just want to get moot points after naming this program after her?

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Muslim

Feb 11, 2016 08:54am

We thank Her Majesty Queen Maxima of the Netherlands on her visit to Pakistan and to participate in many activities. We look forward to your continued support.

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pervez

Feb 11, 2016 09:11am

Queen of Netherland donated her one of her palaces for PAKISTAN EMBASSY in 1948. I thought some of your readers would appriciate this generous gift

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Shahid

Feb 11, 2016 09:18am

Did Marvi tell the queen that what BISP fund is used for and that what fraction of the money really goes to the poor?

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>:)

Feb 11, 2016 10:39am

@pervez We really ought to use this gifts properly. It gives a bad impression of the whole nation when a select few abuse these goodwill gestures

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Nikki

Feb 11, 2016 11:46am

@>:) the government itself is POOR, eats all funds in the name of poverty.

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khara aur karwa such

Feb 11, 2016 12:29pm

What else could she do other than praise the program? How much goes to the real needy and how much is gobbled by the corrupt is not for outsiders to know from the horse's mouth. But the world knows, make no mistake about it. The queen was only being gracious if she played ignorant.

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Drs Sears Appalsamy

Feb 11, 2016 12:33pm

Long Live Queen Maxima. She is not only the prettiest royal in the world but also a lover of the poor and down trodden. She is a very caring person. I hope she is awarded the Nobel Prize for peace.

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khara aur karwa such

Feb 11, 2016 12:35pm

@pervez In 1948, our image as a nation was not tarnished by the corrupt governments that have been in power since the seventies. I wonder if any such gesture would come our way at present, given the greed and corruption that have become synonymous with our existence as a nation.

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Just here

Feb 11, 2016 12:55pm

These Christian countries are helping Pakistan every way they can but the Pakistan government makes sure the money does not reach poors in Pakistan.

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anonymous

Feb 11, 2016 01:05pm

European people have blue eyes. They trust others easily. I know it because I live among them. Sad to hear donation went to Government organization. Nothing will reach the poor.

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M. Emad

Feb 11, 2016 01:41pm

Since the beginning, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands is a supporter, advocate and great admirer of Microfinance and its inventor Professor Mohammad Yunus of Bangladesh.

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