ISLAMABAD, May 4: The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) has made SIM registration mandatory for beneficiaries, announcing that upcoming Benazir Kafaalat payments will be released only through digital wallets, with a June 15 deadline set for compliance.
The decision, announced by BISP Chairperson Senator Rubina Khalid during a live e-katcheri session in Islamabad, affects millions of women across Pakistan who rely on the programme for financial assistance.
SIM deadline set for beneficiaries
Khalid said beneficiaries without registered SIM cards will not receive the next installment, stressing the message “No Benazir SIM, No Payment.” She urged eligible women to visit BISP offices with their personal mobile phones to obtain free SIMs before the deadline.
The move is aimed at improving transparency, reducing leakages, and ensuring direct transfer of funds through digital channels.
Public complaints addressed in live session
During the one-hour session, 27 callers from different parts of the country raised their concerns directly with the chairperson. Khalid directed officials to resolve all complaints within a set timeframe and warned against any negligence.
Senior BISP officials were present to ensure immediate response and follow-up on issues.
10 million families benefiting from programme
Khalid said BISP is currently supporting around 10 million deserving families without political bias. She noted that the programme’s transparency and role in women’s economic empowerment have been recognized internationally.
She also urged the public to avoid baseless criticism that could affect the credibility of the national welfare programme.
Biometric issues and fraud warning
Addressing biometric verification problems, Khalid advised beneficiaries facing thumb verification issues to visit NADRA offices for facial verification and obtain a certificate for a nominal fee, which can be submitted to BISP for payment processing.
She clarified that 8171 is the only official BISP number and warned that messages from other numbers should be treated as fraudulent. Beneficiaries were advised to visit payment centres only after receiving official confirmation.
Khalid added that re-surveys cannot be conducted within two years, while beneficiaries receiving stipends for three years must undergo recertification.
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