CONSTRUCTING AND CONTESTING WELFARE: POLITICAL NARRATIVES ON THE BENAZIR INCOME SUPPORT PROGRAMME IN SINDH

Abstract

The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) is Pakistan's largest social safety net. It was launched in 2008 by the Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) government. Since the beginning, opposition parties have objected to its name. Its early selection criteria faced criticism too. This study explores how the PPPP and its rival political parties construct and contest narratives about BISP, particularly in Sindh, and how these narratives shape the political perceptions and voting behaviour of its beneficiaries. For achieving the purpose, the study applies the Narrative Policy Framework (NPF) with an interpretivist approach and a qualitative embedded case study design. Primary data was collected through semi-structured interviews. The data set consisted of one subject expert, five candidates, four from distinct political parties, namely the PPPP, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F), and one independent candidate, who contested the 2022-23 local government elections. Structured interviews were also held with 20 purposively chosen beneficiaries. For secondary data, the study used official reports, academic studies and media coverage. All the data was examined through thematic and narrative analysis. The PPPP presents BISP as the legacy of Benazir Bhutto for social justice and women's empowerment, but opposition parties counter with accounts of politicization, patronage, targeting errors, and corruption. The MQM also alleges ethnic and regional bias in enrolment. On the other hand, beneficiaries showed their heavy dependence on the programme. They also linked the programme closely to the PPPP. About half of them reported that the programme had influenced their vote. As a result, findings disclose that BISP functions both as a safety net programme and as an electoral tool. To depoliticize the programme, the study recommends neutral branding and a legally protected budget. Its implementation should also be decentralized and accountable.