BISP

The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) is Pakistan’s pioneering social safety net, established in 2008 to provide unconditional cash transfers to low-income families, with a focus on empowering women. Named after former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, BISP has disbursed PKR 500+ billion to over 8 million households, making it one of South Asia’s largest welfare initiatives.

Here’s everything you need to know about BISP, from eligibility to registration and its evolution under the Ehsaas framework.

📌 What Is the BISP Program?

BISP aims to:

• Reduce poverty through quarterly cash grants (currently PKR 10,500 per family).

• Empower women by designating them as primary beneficiaries (95% of recipients).

• Improve health and education outcomes via conditional cash transfers.

Key Sub-Programs:

• Unconditional Cash Transfers (UCT): Core poverty relief.

• Waseela-e-Taleem: Education stipends for children’s school attendance.

• Nashonuma: Nutrition support for pregnant/lactating women.

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🌱 BISP vs. Ehsaas: What’s the Difference?

While BISP and Ehsaas both target poverty, they differ in scope:

• BISP: Launched in 2008, focuses on unconditional cash grants.

• Ehsaas: Launched in 2019, consolidates 25+ initiatives (including BISP reforms) under one umbrella.

Integration: BISP now operates under the Ehsaas framework but retains its branding and core functions.

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✅ BISP Eligibility Criteria

To qualify, households must:

1. Have a monthly income below PKR 30,000.

2. Be ranked in the poorest 20% via the National Socio-Economic Registry (NSER) survey.

3. Have a female family member with a valid CNIC.

Disqualifications:

• Government employees.

• Tax filers or property owners.

• Families with members traveling abroad.

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📲 How to Check Eligibility & Register

Step 1: NSER Survey

• Visit your nearest BISP office or registration camp for a household survey.

• Provide CNIC, income details, and asset information.

Step 2: Check Eligibility via SMS

• Send your CNIC number to 8171 (the Ehsaas/BISP helpline).

• Receive instant eligibility status.

Step 3: Collect Payments

• Approved beneficiaries receive funds via HBL Konnect, JazzCash, or biometric ATMs.

⚠️ Avoid Scams: Never share your CNIC or OTP with unauthorized agents!