This report presents findings from the quantitative and qualitative research conducted for
the first follow-up round of the independent impact evaluation of the Benazir Income
Support Programme (BISP). Its purpose is to provide an analysis of impact of the BISP in the 2
years since the baseline study was conducted.
The impact evaluation has both a quantitative and qualitative component and will be
conducted over four rounds: baseline, two midline rounds and an endline. The research
presented in this report reflects the combined findings of the baseline and the first midline rounds
of research, which were undertaken in April – July 2011 and April – July 2013 respectively.
The evaluation is based on a mixed methods approach. The core of the evaluation is based on
a household survey targeted at beneficiary households and a sub-set of non-beneficiary
households with BISP poverty scores just above the eligibility threshold, which will provide
statistically robust estimates of impact of the BISP on its beneficiaries. This will be combined with a
qualitative component that will provide a broader understanding of the context in which the
programme is operating and to inform an understanding of potential impacts that are difficult to
cover comprehensively and sensitively using only a quantitative survey, as well as providing more
nuanced data to help explain the quantitative findings.