First Lady Bibi Asifa Bhutto Zardari was briefed on the progress, reforms, and future plans of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) during a high-level meeting at Parliament House on Monday.
The briefing was conducted by Rubina Khalid and BISP Secretary Amir Ali Ahmed, who presented a detailed overview of the programme’s achievements and its impact on millions of vulnerable families across Pakistan.
Rs844 Billion Proposed for FY27
Officials informed the First Lady that BISP received an allocation of Rs716 billion during the fiscal year 2025-26, while a budget of Rs844 billion has been proposed for FY2026-27 to expand social protection coverage and strengthen welfare initiatives.
Under the flagship Benazir Kafaalat Programme, quarterly financial assistance of Rs14,500 is currently being provided to approximately 12 million households nationwide.
The briefing revealed that the stipend is expected to increase to Rs18,000 per quarter from January 2027, providing additional support to low-income families amid rising living costs.
Education and Nutrition Programmes Expanded
Officials highlighted the progress of the Benazir Taleemi Wazaif Programme, under which educational stipends are being provided to 12.4 million children. Continued support is linked to maintaining at least 70% school attendance, encouraging enrollment and reducing dropout rates.
The Benazir Nashonuma Programme is currently benefiting nearly two million pregnant and lactating women and children under the age of two. Additionally, a pilot initiative has extended support to 52,000 adolescent girls to improve health and nutrition outcomes.
Skills Development and Financial Inclusion
The First Lady was also informed about the progress of the Benazir Hunarmand Programme, launched under the patronage of Asif Ali Zardari and Bibi Asifa Bhutto Zardari.
According to officials, more than 7,000 individuals have already enrolled in the free skills training initiative aimed at enhancing employability and income-generating opportunities for deserving citizens.
On the digital front, BISP is advancing financial inclusion through Digital Social Protection Wallets under the government’s cashless economy agenda. More than 10 million beneficiaries are being connected to the formal financial system, while over 8.5 million free SIM cards have been distributed and linked to digital wallets.
The programme has also provided digital and financial literacy training to more than 410,000 beneficiaries.
Registry Updated to Identify New Beneficiaries
Officials reported that the National Socio-Economic Registry (NSER) now contains information on 38.7 million households, while nearly 23 million households have updated their records through the Dynamic Registry system.
A recent recertification exercise identified more than 3.5 million potentially eligible families, which may be included in future programme expansions.
World Bank Highlights Economic Impact
The briefing cited findings from a World Bank study indicating that BISP currently supports over 10.3 million families, covering nearly 24% of households in Pakistan.
According to the study, every rupee distributed through the programme generates approximately Rs2.34 in real income through economic multiplier effects. It also found that 68% of income gains benefit the poorest 40% of households, while the programme supports around 1.66 million full-time equivalent jobs across the economy.
Officials noted that economic activity generated through BISP contributes an estimated Rs174 billion annually to the national exchequer.
Speaking on the occasion, Bibi Asifa Bhutto Zardari said BISP remains a reflection of the vision of Benazir Bhutto to empower vulnerable segments of society through meaningful social protection.
She appreciated ongoing efforts to improve transparency, service delivery, and financial inclusion, emphasizing that effective welfare programmes play a vital role in supporting deserving families and enhancing women’s participation in economic and social life.
Chairperson Rubina Khalid reiterated that BISP is evolving beyond cash assistance and is gradually transforming into an integrated, digital, and empowerment-focused social protection system.
The meeting was also attended by Deputy Speaker National Assembly Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah, MNA Shazia Marri, and MNA Mir Ghulam Ali Talpur.
