BISP signs MoUs with Special Olympics to help differently-abled beneficiaries

ISLAMABAD:  Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) on Wednesday signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with Special Olympics Pakistan (SOP) to help differently-abled beneficiaries of the government-run program, ARY News reported.

According to details, the MoU was signed by DG Complimentary Initiative Sajid Baloch from BISP and Chairperson Ms Ronak Iqbal Lakhani from Special Olympics Pakistan (SOP), witnessed by Secretary Omar Hamid Khan alongwith other Director Generals from BISP.

As per the MoU signed, initially Special Olympics Pakistan will run a pilot project targeting 100 intellectually disabled BISP beneficiaries, mutually selected districts of Sindh and Punjab.

The model will be further enhanced and the scope would be expanded to other BISP beneficiary districts.

Moreover, the SOP will provide training and athletic competition in various Olympic Sports for BISP’s beneficiary children and adults with an intellectual disability, hereby offering them opportunity to develop their skills and enjoy life.

“It is a big day for us (SOP). I am glad that, Government of Pakistan has recognized our contribution in this sector, and approached us for the facilitation and technical assistance”, said Ms Lakhani while addressing to the signing ceremony.

We hold special summer and winter Olympics after every four years in the country, and try to get back the mentally challenged or physically unable segment of the society in to main stream, she maintained.

Secretary, BISP Omar Hamid assured all sort of technical support including logistics, database of BISP disable beneficiaries and training facilities to SOP.

He quoted the partnership as “joint facilitation effort for the noble cause, to differently-abled children”.