Lahore: Benazir Income Support Programme Chairperson Senator Rubina Khalid visited the BISP Central Zonal Office here on Monday. On the occasion, Director General Punjab Naseer-ud-Din Sarwar briefed her in detail on the BISP’s operational matters, payment mechanisms and ongoing activities.
Speaking to the media representatives, Senator Rubina Khalid said that, on the special directives of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, the BISP had introduced a digital payment system to make the disbursement of financial assistance to women beneficiaries more transparent, convenient and secure. She said that digital wallet accounts have already been opened for 90% of women beneficiaries.
She said that, through the interoperability system, deserving women will be able to receive their payments from any authorized agent of a partner bank, anywhere and at any time across Pakistan. Once the funds are transferred to their accounts, beneficiaries will receive an SMS notification containing details of the payment. Women will be able to collect their funds from an authorized agent by presenting their CNIC and providing their registered mobile number.
The BISP chairperson clarified that BISP staff will activate digital wallets on the SIMs provided to beneficiaries, and there is no fee for obtaining the SIM or for any BISP scheme. Digital wallet activation is completely free, while a service charge of Rs 280 has been fixed for cash withdrawal. She explained that beneficiaries’ financial assistance will remain safely stored in their digital wallets and therefore does not need to be withdrawn immediately. Women can withdraw the full amount at any time, according to their convenience, from an authorized retailer of the relevant bank. Payment services will be available through six partner banks. She advised beneficiaries not to hand over their mobile phones or SIMs to any agent and to keep their personal information secure.
The Chairperson said that the Benazir Income Support Programme is a continuation of the vision of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, which was translated into a practical reality.
She said the BISP does not make people dependent or turn them into beggars; rather, it provides them with opportunities to move out of poverty and financial hardships.
She said the BISP is an internationally recognized social protection programme that, within the available resources, provides financial assistance to deserving families while also taking measures to help them move towards self-reliance.
The Chairperson stated that BISP is strictly implementing a zero-tolerance policy against corruption and that no form of irregularity will be tolerated. She emphasized that the BISP is a national social protection programme above political affiliations, aimed at providing dignified and effective social and financial support to the deserving and vulnerable segments of society.
She stated that measures are being taken in collaboration with the Ministry of Information Technology to curb fraudulent activities carried out in the name of the BISP.
She categorically stated that 8171 is the only official BISP number and advised beneficiaries not to trust or respond to messages or calls received from any other number.
