The National Assembly Standing Committee on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety has directed authorities to quickly launch the digital banking pilot project for Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) payments.
Authorities, who initially scheduled the project to begin in June, now plan to launch it by the end of July, with account openings set to start by August 15.
The committee emphasized reducing human involvement in Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) disbursements to ensure smoother and more transparent delivery of financial aid.
During the 10th session held at Parliament House, committee members called for urgent reforms to Pakistan’s social protection system, urging a shift toward a technology-driven model with minimal manual processes.
They emphasized that reducing human interference would improve both the dignity and overall experience of Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) beneficiaries.
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) confirmed that it has prepared most backend systems and is finalizing the remaining procedural approvals.
Initially, the pilot project will run in seven districts, including Muzaffargarh, and will offer features such as biometric verification, geotagged banking services, and simplified account opening procedures.
Authorities will issue debit cards to Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) beneficiaries only if fingerprint authentication fails.
To improve accessibility, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) plans to expand ATM networks, introduce staggered payments, and launch digital wallets.
SBP is currently testing two-factor authentication and system integration. After completing the pilot phase, it will conduct a six-month review before expanding the program nationwide.
Committee members raised concerns about the treatment of Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) recipients at payment camps and banks. In response, officials assured them that they are taking steps to ensure secure access and uphold the dignity of all beneficiaries.
The committee also recommended linking mobile data repositories with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to improve biometric reliability, particularly in remote areas.
On the staffing front, BISP revealed that only 2,347 out of 3,486 approved posts are currently filled. The committee observed that excessive reliance on deputation staff weakens the programme and drives up operational costs.
The Finance Division explained that the Cabinet and Establishment Division control recruitment, which must stay within the fiscal limits set by the IMF.
The committee urged BISP to coordinate with relevant ministries to resolve staffing issues and approved relocating BISP offices to underserved areas like Munda and Balambat to improve service delivery.
The session concluded with a joint agreement to fast-track the digital banking project for BISP, ensuring strong oversight to protect beneficiary rights and promote transparency.
