ISLAMABAD, Feb 18: Chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Senator Rubina Khalid, on Tuesday announced an increase in financial assistance for beneficiaries ahead of the holy month of Ramadan, raising the quarterly installment under the Benazir Kafalat Programme by Rs1,000.

The announcement was made during a live e-Katcheri held at BISP headquarters in Islamabad, where the chairperson directly heard complaints and concerns from beneficiaries across the country.

Under the revised structure, eligible women will now receive Rs14,500 instead of Rs13,500 per quarter under the Benazir Kafalat Programme. Additionally, stipends under the Benazir Nashonuma Programme and Benazir Educational Scholarships have been enhanced by Rs500 each to further support maternal health and children’s education.

Senator Rubina Khalid said the increase was aimed at providing maximum relief to deserving families during Ramadan. She urged beneficiaries to ensure they receive their full payments and warned against any unlawful deductions, stating that strict action would be taken in cases of malpractice.

She advised women facing issues to contact the BISP helpline at 0800-26477 or visit their nearest BISP office. Regarding digital wallets, she instructed beneficiaries who have not yet received a free SIM to approach BISP offices and safeguard their SIM cards, which serve as digital wallets for stipend disbursement.

During the one-hour session, 31 callers from different parts of the country raised concerns related to re-surveys, biometric verification, enrollment and stipend payments. Senior BISP officials were present to ensure timely resolution of complaints.

The chairperson directed relevant authorities to address public grievances within the stipulated timeframe and said negligence in handling complaints would not be tolerated.