ISLAMABAD: Lok Virsa hosted an exhibition of 120 shawls made by the beneficiaries of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) on Monday and 40 embroidered shawls were sold on the first day. The exhibition was aimed at providing financial support to BISP members.

A BISP official told Dawn many of the programme’s beneficiaries make embroidered products but cannot sell them as they live in far flung areas and do not have access to the market.

“BISP has provided the beneficiaries an opportunity to do business. They made the products and handed them over to the BISP so they can be sold in Islamabad at good prices,” he said, adding that pictures of the products have been displayed as well so people can order then through BISP, which will deliver the products through a courier service.

The event was attended by a large number of political personalities including Minister for Ports and Shipping Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo, Federal Minister for Law and Justice Zahid Hamid, Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training Balighur Rehman, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Human Rights Barrister Zafrullah Khan, foreign dignitaries, ambassadors, parliamentarians, government officials, members of the civil society, media persons and people from all walks of life.

Federal Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastigir said it was heartening to see poor women being linked with e-commerce by BISP and that the advantages of e-commerce and the growing economy of Pakistan will help BISP beneficiaries come out of poverty.

“The recent MoU signed with Ali Baba by the prime minister during his visit to China has added a new dimension to the development of the e-commerce industry in Pakistan so it is high time we use e-commerce to benefit poor women,” he said.

BISP Chairperson Marvi Memon said the program was trying to come up with graduation strategies which are relevant, economical and productive. She said that through the provision of e-commerce, BISP aims to harness the entrepreneurial potential of its beneficiaries and that the exhibition will preserve traditions as well as promote the work of rural women, helping them graduate out of poverty.

She said that in the financial year 2017-18, BISP beneficiary families willing to start their businesses will be provided training as well as a one-time cash grant of Rs50,000 for this. The grant has been initially proposed for 250,000 families, which will enable them to graduate out of poverty.

The shawls are priced between Rs3,000 and Rs5,000 and a single time sale of a shawl will make as much money for the beneficiary as she gets in the form of a quarterly stipend.

Appreciating the initiative, ports and shipping Minister Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo said the promotion of traditional handicrafts though e-commerce will help poor women stand on their own feet and curb poverty.

Famous designer Sonya Batla served as judge for the exhibition and appreciated the initiative for displaying the talent of rural women. She chose the 12 best shawls from various provinces and regions and offered the winners work with her brand.

The show will continue till June 23.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2017