Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) has decided to open bank accounts for all its beneficiaries, a move aimed at improving cash disbursement and automation of the system.
The decision was announced during a meeting of the National Assembly’s Poverty Alleviation Committee, chaired by Mir Ghulam Ali, Express News reported. BISP Secretary, during the meeting, confirmed that each beneficiary would be provided with a bank account, allowing them to withdraw funds directly from bank branches. “We are working on providing the option for beneficiaries to access funds from any bank,” said the Secretary.
The move follows concerns raised by officials regarding the lack of banking infrastructure in rural areas, where most BISP beneficiaries live. “Most bank branches are located in urban areas, making it difficult for rural recipients to access their funds,” the Secretary noted. As a solution, officials proposed continuing cash disbursement through Point of Sale (POS) agents in remote areas. Mir Ghulam Ali, Chairman of the Committee, emphasized the need to automate the BISP system fully. “The system should be on automation for transparency and efficiency,” he said.
The BISP has also faced challenges with some beneficiaries, particularly 130,000 women, whose thumbprints are not registered in the system. These women will receive special cards in January to facilitate payments. The initiative will begin with a pilot project in eight cities, expected to run for three months. “This is a major step forward,” the Secretary added. “All banks have agreed to open accounts for BISP beneficiaries.” The new banking model is anticipated to benefit all BISP recipients and address the challenges that have historically hindered the programme’s efficiency. The plan also aims to address the fact that banks have traditionally not viewed BISP users as clients.
