Benazir Income Support Programme to Go Fully Digital from July 16

Islamabad: The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) will become fully digital from July 16, with financial assistance to beneficiaries being transferred directly into their bank accounts, officials informed the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection.

BISP Secretary Amir Ahmed Ali told the committee that the move aims to eliminate long queues at payment centers and make the disbursement process more convenient. Beneficiaries will receive notifications informing them that they are not required to withdraw their funds on the same day, helping to reduce overcrowding at banks and payment points.

During the meeting, the committee chairman questioned why the programme, which has been operating since 2008, still relies on deputation staff from directors to drivers instead of permanent employees. An additional secretary replied that a proposal for permanent recruitment has already been forwarded to the Ministry of Finance.

The standing committee directed that the summary for permanent appointments be pursued with the Finance Ministry and also instructed BISP’s six partner banks to increase the number of payment agents to improve access for beneficiaries.