The Benazir Income Support Program has announced an increase in financial assistance under its major initiatives ahead of Ramadan, extending relief to approximately 10 million beneficiary families across Pakistan.
BISP Chairperson Senator Rubina Khalid said the quarterly Benazir Kafalat stipend will increase from Rs. 13,500 to Rs. 14,500. The additional Rs. 1,000 will be included in the payment scheduled for disbursement during Ramadan.
In addition to the Kafalat program, beneficiaries under the Benazir Education Stipends program will receive an additional Rs. 500, subject to the existing requirement of at least 70 percent school attendance.
The Benazir Nashonuma program will also see an increase of Rs. 500. The initiative provides financial support and nutritional assistance to pregnant women and lactating mothers.
The chairperson also announced that 10 million women beneficiaries have been brought into the formal banking system through the opening of individual bank accounts. Under a new digital payment system, beneficiaries will receive free SIM cards through BISP offices and designated camp sites.
Payments will be credited to digital wallets, and recipients will receive SMS notifications upon disbursement. BISP has introduced interoperability among seven partner banks.
Beginning with the upcoming quarterly payment, beneficiaries will be able to withdraw funds from any authorized agent of these banks instead of being restricted to a single assigned agent.
