Effects of Benazir Income Support Program on Small Business Activities in Rural Area of District Peshawar

Abstract

The study was carried out since 2025 in the rural area of the district of Peshawar. The primary objective of the study was to investigate the effects of BISP on small-scale business activities in the rural areas of District Peshawar. The total number of respondents was 227: Suleman Khel 47, Khazana Bala 45, Afithozai 63, and Ahozai 72. Through the interview schedule, data were collected from the respondents. Through SPSS, the data was analysed. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. The result shows that 14 respondents were only involved in small business activities out of 227. The main reason was that the allocated funds were insufficient, while most respondents spent them on food, children's education, clothes, and other daily necessities. The major hurdles and constraints were religious and cultural issues, less funding provision by BISP, illiteracy of the women, transport facilities, etc. These factors have negatively affected the growth of businesses in the study area. Based on the problems and constraints, the study recommends increasing the BISP fund to improve the education of women beneficiaries. The husband's cooperation is required, while the government should address cultural and religious issues to enhance the business activities of the women beneficiaries. Similarly, without business activities, sustainable development is impossible in the study area.