National Socio Economic Registry (NSER) is the national asset that is being utilized by more than 50 organizations from social, development, health, education, rehabilitation and microfinance sector for the planning of their welfare and development initiatives. BISP believes in development through partnerships and adopts an open policy regarding data sharing. BISP has been sharing data with government, autonomous, private and international organizations and this has increased manifold during the last three years of incumbent government. This was stated by Minister of State and Chairperson BISP MNA Marvi Memon in a meeting on data sharing at BISP headquarters.
The Chairperson highlighted that NSER offers a unique data bank for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The organizations that spend huge amounts under their corporate social responsibility may reach to the most deserving segments of society through the data of BISP.
On the occasion, the Chairperson reiterated that authentic data is pivotal for designing social protection programmes. Bait ul Maal is the pioneer in using BISP child level data of 95,708 households for its Child Support Programme in Swat back in 2011. Further it got data from BISP of orphans between 2-5 years of age across Pakistan to launch Child Support programme in Khairpur, Tharparkar, Rajanpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Chitral and other districts across Pakistan.
The Chairperson was briefed that BISP is a social safety net that not only provides cash assistance to its beneficiaries but links it with other welfare programme as well, so that they may exit out of poverty after becoming self sufficient. Data of 142535 marginalized households was shared with SMEDA that enabled a number of beneficiaries to earn a decent livelihood for themselves. PPAF also acquired data for its various microfinance programmes across the country. Pakistan Small Industries Cooperation and Baidari Organization are utilizing BISP data for targeted employment opportunities for the ultra poor.
The Chairperson was apprised that BISP data is being utilized by various federal and provincial governments for health initiatives. Prime Minister National Health Insurance Programme operates on the data provided by BISP. Sehat voucher scheme of Green Star Social Marketing in Sind, family planning programme in Punjab, Khidmat card for the disabled in Punjab, health protection/insurance programmes in KPK and Gilgit Baltistan all are utilizing NSER for effective targeting.
Over the past years, BISP has contributed much towards promoting education in the ultra poor segments of the society. Punjab & Sindh Education Foundations, Literacy & NFBE and CADD have used BISP data for the various projects aimed at enhancing enrollment of children in Schools. BISP also shares its data with DFID to target the enrollment of children in Punjab.
It was highlighted that the role of BISP for sustainable livelihood and rehabilitation projects cannot be undermined. UNHCR and UNDP have used BISP data for its RAHA project for the rehabilitation of refugees in KPK and Balochistan. Livelihood support programme of NRSP was designed and implemented using the data of the BISP in Swabi, Nowshera, RYK, Gawadar, and Lasbella. Wheat Distribution under Sindh Government’s Relief Programme to the deserving was possible only because of BISP data.
After floods in 2014, BISP data played an important role in identifying the most in need. Provincial Disaster Management Authority Punjab initiated its Livelihood Support Initiative to support the poor affected by floods by providing cash grant to them. BISP data was also utilized by Balochistan Food department for targeted food subsidy, special assistance programmes by Zakat departments of Punjab and KPK.
Director General (M&E) stated that NSER has been used widely by leading organizations for research and analysis. Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO) analyzed expenditure trend of BISP beneficiaries, Aurat Foundation studied widowhood and Punjab Commission on status of women analyzed the BISP population for status of women in Pakistan. Health and Population Welfare Department Gilgit Baltistan conducted a baseline survey regarding expenditures on health in Ghizer and Gilgit.
He further added that International Food Policy Research Institute analyzed BISP population to study the implementation of food stipend programme. International Rescue Committee (IRC) is using BISP data to identify potential beneficiaries for a cash transfer project. PIDE, World Bank, NDU and PMN have also researched on NSER and proposed policy guidelines for a successful financial inclusion programme and micro finance opportunities for BISP beneficiaries. Pakistan Social Protection Authority has used NSER to analyze the coverage, targeting and impact of ongoing programmes on poverty and proposed new social protection initiatives.
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