The Benazir Income Support Programme has rolled out a digital wallet payment system across Pakistan, registering 90 percent of women beneficiaries. Inaugurated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the initiative distributes 10 million free SIM cards and transitions financial assistance to improve transparency and curb corruption.
Digital Wallets and Free SIMs
The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) has officially launched a digital wallet payment system. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the system, marking what officials described as a historic milestone in Pakistan’s push toward a cashless economy as part of a broader move toward digital financial inclusion.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif launched 10 million digital wallets for beneficiaries of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), terming it a historic milestone in Pakistan’s journey towards transparency, financial inclusion, and a cashless economy. The prime minister symbolically inaugurated the system with a palm touch, in the presence of federal ministers, BISP leadership, and international development partners including GIZ. He congratulated BISP Chairperson Senator Rubina Khalid, the BISP team, and all partner institutions for this landmark decision that will safeguard genuine recipients and protect them from undue difficulties.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the establishment of 10 million digital wallets and provision of 10m SIMs for beneficiaries of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). Addressing the launching ceremony, the Prime Minister said the initiative was a step toward a cashless economy to ensure transparency and provide financial assistance to BISP beneficiaries in an easy way. He said cashless transactions save time, enhance efficiency, eliminate corruption and accelerate the country’s progress and development. Shehbaz Sharif congratulated BISP Chairperson Rubina Khalid and others for the initiative, describing it as a historic milestone
in Pakistan’s push towards transparency, financial inclusion and a cashless economy.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Direct Digital Wallet Introduction
Under the ongoing relief framework, BISP has been providing financial assistance through various programmes to registered low-income families across the country. According to officials, and in line with directives attributed to President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, the digital wallet system has been introduced to make financial assistance payments to women beneficiaries transparent, convenient and secure, with digital wallet accounts already opened for 90 percent of beneficiaries.
Speaking to the media during her visit to the BISP Central Zonal Office in Lahore, programme Chairperson Senator Rubina Khalid stated that the initiative follows special directives from President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. BISP Punjab Director General Naseer-ud-Din Sarwar briefed the chairperson on operational matters, noting that under the new interoperability system, beneficiaries will be able to withdraw their funds at any time from authorised agents of six partner banks across Pakistan, using their CNIC and registered mobile number. Ms Khalid clarified that digital wallet activation on the SIMs provided to the beneficiaries is completely free, and that the BISP staff will handle activation. State Minister for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani announced on Tuesday that all beneficiaries of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) will receive digital wallets this year. He explained that these wallets will work like bank accounts, and beneficiaries will be able to use them to pay utility bills and transfer money.
This digital wallet system is, in its true sense, blessed by the soul of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, as it empowers BISP beneficiaries with safe, transparent, and direct access to financial assistance,Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif
Fees, Interoperability, and Security Protocols
Saleem Ullah Briefs the National Assembly Standing Committee on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety
The operational mechanics of the new system involve six partner banks providing payment services across the country. Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) beneficiaries will pay the transaction fee for cash withdrawals made through interoperable digital wallets, Deputy Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Saleem Ullah told the National Assembly Standing Committee on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety on Thursday. Briefing the committee chaired by Mir Ghulam Ali Talpur, he said the cash withdrawal fee would be fixed at Rs280, while online transfers and RAAST transactions would remain free. The SBP will notify the schedule of charges every six months. Saleem Ullah said two private microfinance banks would operationalise digital wallet interoperability on July 16 and July 20, with all six participating banks completing integration by July 31. He added that BISP beneficiary accounts would become fully digital by December 31. SBP says all six partner banks will complete digital wallet interoperability by July 31, while fully digital BISP accounts are targeted by December 31.
After funds transfer to their digital wallets, beneficiaries would receive an SMS notification with details of the payment and could withdraw the amount by presenting their CNIC and registered mobile number, said a news release. Under the interoperability system, beneficiaries will be able to withdraw their money from any authorised agent of a partner bank anywhere in Pakistan, according to their convenience, with six partner banks providing payment services.
Addressing Criticism and Expanding Program Impact
Senator Rubina Khalid Responds to Critics at the BISP Central Zonal Office
Chairperson Rubina Khalid strongly pushed back against critics who characterize the welfare initiative as a promoter of financial dependency.
BISP does not make people beggars; it provides opportunities to help people overcome poverty and financial hardship,
