The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), with the support of UNICEF, World Health Organization (WHO), World Food Programme (WFP) and Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination, organized the World Breastfeeding Week 2026 Launch Ceremony at the BISP Headquarters. The event brought together senior government officials, representatives of development partners, health professionals and nutrition experts to reaffirm their collective commitment to promote, protect and support breastfeeding as a cornerstone of maternal and child health.
Addressing the ceremony, Chairperson BISP Senator Rubina Khalid highlighted that breastfeeding is a natural and essential practice that provides every child with the healthiest start in life. She said breastfeeding is fundamental to child survival, family well-being, human capital development and national progress. She encouraged mothers to exclusively breastfeed their infants during the first six months of life and advised against the unnecessary use of formula milk and bottle feeding.
Senator Rubina Khalid underscored the vision of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto for improving the health and well-being of women and children, particularly through landmark initiatives such as the Lady Health Workers Programme. She said that the Benazir Nashonuma Programme carries forward this vision by promoting maternal and child nutrition and providing essential health and nutrition services to pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Senator Rubina Khalid said that BISP has established a unique mechanism to reach pregnant and lactating mothers during one of the most critical stages of their lives. She emphasized that while financial assistance is vital, cash support alone is not enough. Mothers also need accurate information, counselling, trust and access to quality health and nutrition services to ensure healthy pregnancies and the well-being of their children.
Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Pernille Ironside, Country Representative, UNICEF, commended BISP’s remarkable leadership through the Benazir Nashonuma Programme and emphasized that breastfeeding should begin within the first hour after birth, describing a mother’s first milk as a child’s first vaccine.
Ms. Ellen Thom, Deputy Country Representative, WHO Pakistan, described the Benazir Nashonuma Programme as an excellent example of integrating social protection with health and nutrition interventions and reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s efforts to improve maternal and child health.
Mr. Thomas Conan, Deputy Country Director, World Food Programme (WFP) Pakistan, said that breastfeeding is one of the simplest and most cost-effective investments in improving maternal and child nutrition while contributing to women’s empowerment. He appreciated the partnership between WFP and BISP and underscored the importance of delivering consistent breastfeeding messages through community-based interventions.
Earlier, Dr. Saba Shuja, Early Childhood Development (ECD) Manager, UNICEF, presented an overview of the Global Theme and National Campaign for World Breastfeeding Week 2026, highlighting the importance of breastfeeding in ensuring healthy growth, child survival, and long-term development.
The ceremony also featured a panel discussion titled “Protecting Breastfeeding through Social Protection Initiatives,” where experts from BISP, UNICEF, WHO, WFP, the Ministry of National Health Services, and the Pakistan Paediatric Association discussed strategies to strengthen breastfeeding practices through integrated nutrition, health, and social protection programmes.
Speaking In the panel discussion Director General Conditional Cash Transfer Dr Asim Ijaz apprised the guests about Benazir Nashonuma program and its impacts on nutrition eco system of country. He said that the BISP is reaching 1.4 Million Active beneficiaries through 578 facilitation centers across country, providing them Counselling and referrals to health services like ANC, PNC. He said that the Benazir Nashonuma program is also spreading message through 169 Nutrition Stabilization Centers Nutrition Stabilization centers. He told the audience that the Nashonuma program under BISP is a great success in terms of stunting reduction and breastfeeding awareness.
In his closing remarks, Additional Secretary BISP, Dr. Asmat Nawaz, thanked UNICEF, WHO, WFP, the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination, and other partner organizations for their continued collaboration in promoting maternal and child nutrition. He reaffirmed BISP’s commitment to working closely with development partners to ensure that every mother and child has access to the support and services needed for a healthy and productive future.
