Benazir Income Support Programme – Full Guide 2025
The Benazir Income Support Programme is Pakistan’s largest poverty relief initiative, designed to help low-income families meet their basic needs. Started in 2008, this programme gives cash assistance every three months directly to the female head of the household, helping them manage food, health, and education expenses. It aims to reduce poverty, promote women empowerment, and support vulnerable groups like widows, orphans, and transgender individuals. With projects like Waseela-e-Taleem and Benazir Kafaalat, the programme is reaching millions across the country. The Benazir Income Support Programme plays a vital role in social protection and is a lifeline for many poor families struggling to survive in today’s tough economy.
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What is the Benazir Income Support Programme?
A federal level cash benefit system against poverty called Benazir Income Support Programme has been established. It provides Rs. 8,500 in every 3 months to families which live below the poverty line. The cash is provided to the female head of the family. BISP was initiated at a period when there was stringent inflation on food and economic crisis and today, it covers more than 9 million families by aiding people with cash support and other economic development works.
Objectives of the Benazir Income Support Programme
BISP has two main goals:
Short Term Goals:
- To offer a rapid cash solution in case of an inflation or a catastrophe.
- To enable the poor individuals to purchase essentials such as food, and clothing as well as medication.
Long term goals:
- In order to eliminate excessive poverty gradually.
- To make women empowered by making them have control of money.
- In order to foster education, health, and gender equality within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Also read: BISP July 2025 Payment – Who’s Eligible and How to Apply
Key Features of the Benazir Income Support Programme
Benazir Kafaalat Programme
It is the most important component of BISP. The qualified families receive Rs. 8,500 on quarterly basis (earlier-3,000). The objective is to assist families to live with escalating expenses.
Payment Through Biometric Verification
Money is given through two partner banks:
| Region | Bank |
|---|---|
| Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan | HBL |
| KPK, GB, AJK | Bank Alfalah |
Payments are made after fingerprint verification to prevent fraud.
N- PMT score
The choice of families is taken on the basis of a PMT score obtained on the basis of the NSER survey. When a family earns 32 and below, they are eligible. To the disabled persons, the cut-off is 37.
Inclusion of the Transgender Persons
Transgender citizens having a valid CNIC through a proper NADRA can register without a limit of PMT score.
Next-of-Kin Policy
In case the woman who was getting BISP dies then the family will be able to obtain the funding by filling a form with their death certificate and CNIC documents.
Complaint System
Complaints can be made via:
- Nearest Tehsil BISP office
- Helpline: 0800-26477
Also read: 8171 Web Portal Update July – Full Details of New BISP Payment
Special Initiatives under BISP
Besides Kafaalat, BISP runs other helpful programmes:
Waseela-e-Taleem
When parents are taking their children to primary school and maintaining 70% attendance, then the family receives an extra cash.
Nashonuma Programme
Provides food and finance to maternal and under 2 years children to combat malnutrition.
Waseela-e-Haq
Lends money to poor women to begin small businesses without interests.
Waseela-e-Rozgar
Provides free employment training in tailoring, computer related skills, beauty services etc.
Waseela-e-Sehat
Assists with the simple medical treatment and hospital costs.
Also read: Benazir Taleemi Wazaif Payment July 2025
Eligibility Criteria for BISP
To get help from BISP, families must:
- Below monthly income of Rs. 25,000 /-
- Be having a CNIC holder (Woman) at home
- Not the government work or pensioners
- Not mistresses of elfland or foreign passports
- Not possess regular bank accounts (without microfinance)
| Family Type | PMT Score Cut-off |
|---|---|
| Normal Poor Families | 32 |
| With Disabled Members | 37 |
| Transgender Applicants | No limit |
Impact and Evaluation of BISP
Effect and Assessment of BISP BISP has really made a difference in Pakistan:
- There was a reduction in poverty by 7 percent in most of the regions
- Women manage to earn and take charge of money now
- It has seen thousands of children joining school
- Nashonuma has improved the health of the mother and child health
- These findings were ratified by a national survey involving large amounts of households (more than 9,000)
Also read: BISP WhatsApp Payment Complaint – Full Guide 2025
Challenges and Criticism
Even a strong programme like BISP has faced problems:
Political Bias
During the early years, there were politicians who provide forms to friends and voters, not deserving poor.
Additional Costs
Rs. 100200 used to be illegally charged by postal employees in exchange of delivering payments.
Non-conditionality
According to the experts, the more effective one is, when education/health is connected to payments. At present, BISP is being monitored to do better things through Waseela-e-Taleem and Nashonuma.
Need for More Transparency
There should be more data audits and third-party monitoring.
Future Plans and Reforms of BISP
The government is making BISP stronger by:
- Using digital payment systems and mobile banking
- Teaching financial literacy to poor families
- Updating NSER survey for better targeting
- Introducing a hybrid model: cash + services (education, health, jobs)
- Improving monitoring dashboards and grievance tracking
Also read: BISP 8171 Payment July 2025 Complete CNIC Check New Registration Guide
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Conclusion
Benazir Income Support Programme is considered to be one of the strongest weapons against poverty in Pakistan. BISP is gradually transforming lives because it assists the family to purchase food, promote education, and enhance health. Sure it has had some problems, yet due to change and a new way of thinking BISP is not merely a form of assistance anymore, BISP is taking the shape of a stepping stone towards empowerment of millions of deserving families.
