PR No. 212 BISP INVITES MEHAK GUL AND KIRAN KHAN FOR INTERACTION WITH BENEFICIARIES Islamabad: November 23, 2016

BISP is internationally recognized model social safety net program that provides a unique forum for empowerment to the poorest women. BISP is redefining the lives of its women by adding dignity, empowerment and meaning to their lives as envisioned by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. We are fully committed to cultivate an environment where women are respected and feel themselves elevated and empowered. This was stated by the Minister of State and Chairperson BISP, MNA Marvi Memon, in her address during an event organized at BISP Secretariat under “Sisters in Success” initiative where Mehak Gul and Kiran Khan were invited to interact with beneficiaries and their children.

“Sisters in Success” is a BISP initiative to encourage idea generation and success transfer to motivate the BISP beneficiaries. Events under “Sisters in Success” initiative provide an opportunity to poor women beneficiaries and their children to draw inspiration from interaction with accomplished women. This initiative brings international and national women role models in front of beneficiaries to instill hope and motivation so they may break the shackles of poverty and emerge empowered in true sense.

Mehak Gul, a Guiness World Record holder is the youngest chess player from Pakistan to grab the title of ‘Women Candidate Master’ at World Chess Olympiad 2016. Mehak, a 16 year old girl achieved this feat at 42nd World Chess Olympiad. She is representing Pakistan in international events since 12 years of age. She aspires to become Chess Grand Master.

Kiran Khan is first female international swimmer for Pakistan. She first came to national attention at the 28th Pakistan National Games in 2001. She has represented Pakistan at the Olympics and other international forums. She brought sixty four international medals to Pakistan and has 347 national gold medals on her record. She was bestowed Tamgha-e-Imtiaz in 2014.

Mehak Gul and Kiran Khan while narrating their success journey highlighted that they are pioneers in the respective fields. It was a tough journey as there was no precedent but they never gave up and emerged victorious holding up the national flag. They encouraged the beneficiaries that life may be difficult but not impossible. They should try their best to overcome the miseries of poverty. They appreciated BISP for its efforts for the downtrodden and marginalized segments of society.

Both champions conveyed their concerns to Ms Memon regarding lack of patronage from Government and shortage of funds because of which they were unable to participate in number of international events. The minister assured them that she would take up the matter with Prime Minister and the concerned ministry.

On the occasion, Chairperson BISP said that women empowerment and gender equality is foremost on the agenda of incumbent government. The long term national planning framework VISION 2025 commits to pursue women empowerment as a key priority area across all sectors of planning and development. It focuses on providing an enabling environment to every woman to develop her full potential to equally reap the benefits of economic and social development.

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