Women who receive Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) money are no longer tied to a single bank. The programme has started paying its first instalment under a new interoperable system, and a beneficiary can take the money through any one of six participating institutions.
Easypaisa, JazzCash, HBL, HBL Microfinance Bank, Bank Alfalah and the Bank of Punjab are the six. BISP says the aim is shorter queues, no unauthorised deductions and a more transparent payout.
BISP Chairperson Senator Rubina Khalid marked the launch with a meeting on 12 November with State Bank of Pakistan Governor Jameel Ahmad, with BISP Additional Secretary Dr. Ismat Nawaz also present, as Associated Press of Pakistan reported. She credited the central bank for guiding the build and for getting all six partners onto one network.
Khalid said women can now be paid through whichever channel suits them, and that BISP will keep working with the State Bank and the partners on rollout. The meeting also covered a future roadmap, which has not been detailed.
A beneficiary is no longer restricted to one institution and can pick among the six. Officials at the programme hope this first round shows payouts can be clearer and more dignified for the women who depend on them. Khalid also said the programme remains committed to the welfare and financial empowerment of the women it serves, and tied the change to wider financial inclusion.
Two of the six names are mobile wallets, so a beneficiary who would rather use a wallet than a bank branch has that choice inside the same scheme.
