The event commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by opening remarks from Dr. Ammara Khan, Head of Office, WFP Punjab. Dr. Ammara warmly welcomed all participants and acknowledged the valuable contributions of stakeholders from BISP, government departments, UNICEF, Qatar Charity, and partner organizations. She highlighted WFP's commitment to addressing malnutrition through collaborative efforts and shared the strategic vision for the next phase of the Benazir Nashonuma Programme. She informed participants that the programme will continue delivering services in the existing 29 districts of Punjab while expanding its outreach to additional districts, with enhanced clarity of roles and stronger coordination mechanisms among stakeholders to maximize impact.
Subsequently, Zulqarnain Ansari, Programme Manager BNP, ACT International, presented the annual programme overview for Lahore and Sahiwal Divisions. The presentation highlighted key achievements from July 2025 to May 2026, including the registration of more than 62,000 new beneficiaries, over 177,000 follow-up visits conducted, approximately 22,000 beneficiaries successfully completing their two-year programme cycle, and around 750 children recovering from severe malnutrition and stunting to attain normal nutritional status. The session also covered district-wise performance, compliance trends, operational achievements, and lessons learned from programme implementation.
Mishal Javaid, M&E Officer, ACT International, delivered the Impact Showcase and Stakeholder Ecosystem presentation, highlighting awareness interventions on breastfeeding, child nutrition, and hygiene practices. The session featured a beneficiary success story video and demonstrated how coordinated efforts among BISP, the Health Department, NADRA, local government institutions, district administrations, and MNCH services contribute to improved nutrition outcomes for vulnerable families.
Tayyab Rafique, Advocacy & Social Mobilization Expert, ACT International, presented a field case study on social mobilization best practices, sharing practical approaches and community engagement strategies that have strengthened beneficiary outreach, improved follow-up compliance, and enhanced programme effectiveness.
Participants then engaged in two parallel breakout sessions focusing on improving service quality and beneficiary experience, and strengthening coordination with local government and line departments at district and tehsil levels.
The workshop also featured a panel discussion titled "Breaking the Cycle of Malnutrition: Strategic Priorities and Collective Actions," with participation from Dr. Ammara Khan (WFP Punjab), Ruhina Iqbal (Deputy Director, BISP Lahore), Muhammad Salman (Nutrition Officer, UNICEF), and Mateen Saeed (Chief Strategy Officer, ACT International). Moderated by Dr. Neelab Gurmani, the discussion explored institutional roles, implementation challenges, and collaborative approaches for addressing malnutrition in Punjab.
The event concluded with a recognition ceremony honoring high-performing Facilitation Centre staff, Social Mobilizers, Call Operators, and other programme personnel for their dedication and contributions. Closing remarks were delivered by Mateen Saeed, who summarized key learnings and emphasized continued collaboration among stakeholders to sustain and expand programme achievements. The workshop concluded with a networking lunch, providing an opportunity for participants to strengthen partnerships and discuss future collaboration.