BISP Program-How the BISP Program Helps Families in Need -

Benazir Income Support, which includes BISP aimed at reducing poverty and promoting education, is a vital lifeline for low-income families.

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Benazir Income Support Program-Pakistan Largest Social Safety:

Over 5 million impoverished and vulnerable families receive economic support from Pakistan’s largest social safety net, the BISP Program. Pakistan’s federal initiative for reducing poverty through unconditional cash transfer is called the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).

It was the biggest social safety net program in the nation when it was first introduced in July 2008, with 5.4 million recipients receiving distribution of almost RS.90 billion ($900 million) in 2016.

Role of the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation:

The BISP Program was integrated into the Poverty Alleviation and Social Security Division and a new ministry, the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety (PASS), was formed. As of right now, BISP is the biggest aid program in Pakistan and the third-largest budgetary allotment from the government.

Cash payments under the Waseela-e-Taleem program will only be paid to qualified households whose children enroll in elementary school its beneficiaries, BISP introduced an online shopping platform on June 18, 2017.

BISP Program Structure:

The Punjab, Sindh, Baluchistan, and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa provinces have all adopted the Benazir Income Support Program. Additionally, the initiative is implemented in the Islamabad Capital Territory and the federally administered areas of Azad Jammu Kasmir. During a recommendation-based procedure, legislators nominated and chose the recipients of BISP cash transfers in the program’s first year of operation.

Each Parliamentarian received 8,000 forms to distribute throughout his or her constituency. Selected individuals underwent an eligibility verification process through the National Database and Registration Authority. A final list of eligible families was generated and sent to the postal service. Funds were disbursed from the Treasury directly to the postal service and then delivered to the female head of eligible households.

Eligibility:

To be eligible for cash payments under the Benazir Income Support Program, families must earn less than RS.6,000 per month; equivalent to $67. Further eligibility requirements stipulate that:

Families must have a female applicant holding a valid ID card.
An individual applicant must be a widowed or divorced female without male family members.
Eligible families include those with physically or mentally disabled individuals.

Families deemed ineligible for cash payments through BISP include those with:

Members employed by the Pakistani government, army, or any other government-affiliated agency
Members drawing a pension or receiving post-retirement benefits from the government
Family members owning more than 3 acres of farmland or more than 80 square yards of residential land
Members receiving income from other source
Members holding a machine-readable passport
Members with a National Identity Card for Overseas Citizens
Members with a bank account excluding microfinance banks and those catering to low-income families

BISP Program Tracking and Registration:

Benazir Income Support Program for Income Assistance. It is currently possible to track CNIC registration using BISP. Any BISP Program applicant can use CNIC to verify his registration.

The Benazir Income Support Programme makes use of an extensive tracking and registration system to guarantee that the most eligible families in Pakistan receive financial assistance. To ensure accuracy and transparency, the data is validated by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).

Conclusion:

The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) has been instrumental in helping over 5 million needy households by providing financial support. By targeting women and the most disadvantaged groups, BISP ensures that its aid reaches the most vulnerable.

With initiatives like Waseela-e-Taleem, which promotes children’s education through conditional cash transfer, the program is also investing in the long-term development of human capital. Through its structured and transparent system, BISP continues to be a key pillar in Pakistan’s fight against poverty.