The government of Pakistan introduced the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) in 2008 as a social welfare program to offer financial aid to low-income families. Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto proposed the idea, and the program is named after her.
Moreover, BISP aims to provide a safety net for the poorest and most vulnerable segments of society, particularly women and children. It provides cash transfers to eligible families, allowing them to meet their basic needs and improve their standard of living.
Graana.com has prepared a guide on the Benazir Income Support Program below, including its eligibility criteria, program structure and more.
History
The Benazir Income Support Programme was established in 2008 on the advice of former President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, and it is named after the late Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto. It was created to tackle the erosion of purchasing power caused by high inflation and rising food and oil prices since 2005.
In addition to economic development, BISP aims to empower women by providing cash transfers directly to female members of households. BISP is currently Pakistan’s largest aid program and the government’s third-largest budgetary allocation, accounting for 0.3% of the country’s GDP.
During the 2008-2009 fiscal year, more than three million Pakistani families received cash transfers through BISP, covering 1.5% of the general population and 10% of the population below the poverty line.
In the following year, the program was expanded to cover five million low-income families, and the government doubled its initial allocation of Rs. 34 billion or $425 million, to Rs. 70 billion or $875 million.
Benazir Income Support Programme – BISP is now planning to launch a new initiative, the Waseela-e-Taleem, that incentivizes human capital development by offering conditional cash transfers based on primary school enrollment for the children of eligible families. Additionally, it launched an e-commerce platform for its beneficiaries on June 18, 2017.
Eligibility Criteria
BISP has certain eligibility requirements that families must meet in order to receive cash payments. Firstly, the family’s monthly income must be less than Rs. 6,000 or approximately $67. Additionally, there must be a female applicant who holds a valid NADRA ID card.
In the case of an individual applicant, she must be a widowed or divorced female without any male family members. Families with physically or mentally disabled individuals are also eligible to apply. However, there are certain families that are deemed ineligible for cash payments through BISP.
These include families with members employed by the Pakistani government, army, or any other government-affiliated agency; members receiving a pension or post-retirement benefits from the government; families owning more than 3 acres of farmland or more than 80 square yards of residential land; members receiving income from other sources; members holding a machine-readable passport or a National Identity Card for overseas citizens; and members with a bank account, except for microfinance banks and those catering to low-income families.
Program Structure
Several provinces and regions of Pakistan, including Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and the Islamabad Capital Territory, have implemented the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).
During its initial year of operation, the BISP cash transfers were distributed to individuals recommended by parliamentarians. Each parliamentarian was provided with 8,000 forms to distribute within their constituency. The selected individuals had to go through an eligibility verification process conducted by the National Database and Registration Authority.
The BISP generated a final list of eligible families and sent it to the postal service. The treasury disbursed the funds to the postal service, which delivered them to the female head of the eligible households.
Selection Process
As of April 2009, the selection process for identifying eligible families through parliamentarians’ recommendations has been discontinued. Instead, the program now employs a Poverty Scorecard system, which utilises a proxy means test to identify families in need. The World Bank has approved a system that involves a survey of 13 questions about assets and expenses.
The survey has already undergone testing in 16 districts and will expand throughout the country. BISP is developing internal monitoring systems to ensure transparency, prevent corruption or political favouritism, and track deliveries and payment amounts to eligible families.
They are also considering a third-party verification mechanism that would allow neutral entities to confirm the eligibility of families. BISP has recently launched several special initiatives to extend its reach. The Waseela-e-Haq program empowers women economically by providing them with small loans, while Waseela-e-Rozgar offers professional training for up to a year to eligible family members.
Furthermore, financial assistance for basic healthcare is provided through the Waseela-e-Sehat program. BISP is also launching a new initiative called Waseela-e-Taleem, which will condition cash payments on children’s primary education enrollment between the ages of 5 to 12.
Additionally, BISP provides emergency relief cash payments to families affected by terrorism, war, or natural disasters like earthquakes. These payments are similar to those provided to low-income families but are specifically targeted to provide support in times of crisis.
Application Process
Eligible households can apply by visiting the nearest BISP office or through the online portal. The application requires basic information about the household, including the number of family members and their income.
The BISP conducts a verification process to confirm the eligibility of the household after the submission of the application. Upon approval, the household receives a BISP card, which they can use to withdraw cash transfers from designated banks or ATMs.
Benefits of BISP
Here are some of the major benefits of BISP:
Poverty Reduction
It aims to reduce poverty by providing direct cash transfers to eligible households. This helps increase their income and improve their standard of living.
Empowerment of Women
It specifically targets women as the primary beneficiaries of the program. This not only helps alleviate poverty but also empowers women by giving them control over financial resources.
Improved Health and Education
The cash provided can be used to improve the health and education of the beneficiaries and their families. This includes paying for medical expenses, buying nutritious food, and paying for school fees.
Increased Financial Inclusion
BISP also promotes financial inclusion by encouraging beneficiaries to open bank accounts. This helps increase access to financial services and promotes savings and investment.
Social Cohesion
By reducing poverty and increasing the standard of living of low-income households, BISP helps promote social cohesion and reduce inequality in society.
List of Chairpersons of the Benazir Income Support Program
The following is the list of chairpersons of BISP.
| Chairperson | Entered Office | Left Office |
| Farzana Raja | July 2008 | March 2013 |
| (Vacant) | March 2013 | November 2013 |
| Enver Baig | November 2013 | November 2014 |
| (Vacant) | November 2014 | February 2015 |
| Marvi Memon | February 2015 | June 2018 |
| (Vacant) | June 2018 | October 2018 |
| Sania Nishtar | October 2018 | April 2022 |
| Shazia Marri | April 2022 | Present |
Challenges and Criticisms
While BISP has been successful in providing financial assistance to low-income households, it has faced several challenges and criticisms. Some of these include
- The program results in some ineligible households receiving benefits while leaving out some eligible ones due to inaccurate targeting.
- Limited funds restrict the number of households that can be covered by the program.
- Some critics allege political interference, claiming that the program is utilized to gain political support rather than targeting the poorest and most vulnerable segments of society.
Conclusion
BISP is a crucial social welfare program that provides financial assistance to low-income households in Pakistan. While it has faced several challenges, it remains a vital safety net for the poorest and most vulnerable segments of society. By continuing to improve its targeting and addressing its limitations, BISP can help reduce poverty and inequality in Pakistan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does BISP work?
BISP (Benazir Income Support Programme) is a social safety net program in Pakistan that provides financial assistance to poor and vulnerable households.
How does BISP work?
Its eligibility is based on a poverty scorecard survey that identifies households living below the poverty line. Typically, households with no regular income, limited assets, and vulnerable members (such as widows, orphans, and people with disabilities) are eligible for the program.
How does BISP work?
It provides cash transfers to eligible households through biometrically enabled payment systems. The amount of cash transfer varies, based on the number of eligible family members and the poverty level of the household.
How many people are covered by BISP?
As of 2021, BISP covers over 5.5 million households or approximately 34 million individuals.
Can non-Pakistani citizens apply for BISP?
No, only Pakistani citizens are eligible for BISP.
How often do households receive cash transfers from BISP?
Households receive cash transfers every quarter, i.e. every three months.
Is there a limit to the number of family members in a household that can receive cash transfers from BISP?
No, all eligible family members can receive cash transfers from BISP.
Are there any fees associated with using the BISP card to withdraw cash transfers?
No, there are no fees associated with using the BISP card to withdraw cash transfers.
Can households still receive BISP benefits if their income exceeds the poverty line?
No, households whose income exceeds the poverty line set by the government are not eligible for BISP benefits.
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