PROVINCE REPORT
ISLAMABAD: The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), in collaboration with UNICEF, WHO, WFP and the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, held a ceremony at BISP Headquarters to mark World Breastfeeding Week 2026 and reaffirm its commitment to maternal and child nutrition.
Chairperson BISP Senator Rubina Khalid said breastfeeding provides children with the healthiest start in life and is vital for child survival, family well-being and national development. She urged mothers to exclusively breastfeed infants for the first six months and avoid unnecessary formula milk and bottle feeding.
She highlighted Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s vision for improving the health and well-being of women and children, saying the Benazir Nashonuma Programme was continuing this mission by providing nutrition support, counselling and health services to pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Senator Rubina Khalid said financial assistance alone was insufficient and mothers also needed reliable information, counselling, healthcare and nutrition services.
UNICEF Country Representative Ms. Pernille Ironside praised BISP’s leadership through the Benazir Nashonuma Programme and stressed the importance of initiating breastfeeding within the first hour after birth. WHO Deputy Country Representative Ms. Ellen Thom appreciated Nashonuma as an effective model combining social protection with health and nutrition interventions.
WFP Deputy Country Director Thomas Conan described breastfeeding as a cost-effective investment in maternal and child nutrition and appreciated BISP-WFP collaboration in promoting breastfeeding awareness through community-based initiatives.
During a panel discussion on “Protecting Breastfeeding through Social Protection Initiatives,” experts from BISP, UNICEF, WHO, WFP, the Ministry of National Health Services and Pakistan Paediatric Association discussed ways to strengthen breastfeeding through integrated health, nutrition and social protection programmes.
Director General Conditional Cash Transfer Dr. Asim Ijaz said the Benazir Nashonuma Programme currently reaches around 1.4 million active beneficiaries through 578 facilitation centres across the country, providing counselling and referrals for antenatal and postnatal care. He added that breastfeeding and nutrition messages were also being promoted through 169 Nutrition Stabilization Centres.
Dr. Asim Ijaz said the programme had contributed significantly to reducing stunting and improving breastfeeding awareness among beneficiary families.
Additional Secretary BISP Dr. Asmat Nawaz thanked development partners for their continued cooperation and reaffirmed BISP’s commitment to ensuring mothers and children receive essential health and nutrition support.
