The BISP spokesperson stated that the program aims to ensure transparent, dignified, and direct financial access for women beneficiaries. In this initial phase, eligible women are receiving the free SIMs at BISP Dynamic Registry Centers to activate their Social Protection Wallets.
Crucially, the spokesperson confirmed that all future cash payments from BISP will be made through these specific SIM cards. Beneficiaries have been advised to safeguard these SIMs with the same care they would give their personal belongings. This pilot phase will expand, with the second phase starting on November 24 across 53 districts.
The launch of this new payment model was directed by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, marking a historic step towards digital financial inclusion. BISP claims this initiative is among the largest social protection projects globally, aiming to ensure transparent, dignified, and direct financial access for women beneficiaries.
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BISP Chairperson, Senator Rubina Khalid, shared crucial guidelines: eligible women must visit their nearest BISP office or designated camp site with their original CNIC and an active mobile phone. After biometric verification, they will receive a free mobile SIM to activate their Social Protection Wallet. She strongly cautioned women that the SIM is completely free of cost and must not be paid for.
The Chairperson emphasized that the Social Protection Wallet will only be activated on this SIM by BISP, and women should not contact any unauthorized external sources. This new system is set to make the disbursement of BISP funds more convenient, secure, and transparent. The second phase of the pilot is slated to begin on November 24 across 53 districts.
Senator Khalid reiterated a strong message to beneficiaries: "This SIM is not an ordinary SIM, it is a digital wallet that holds your financial power, and must be protected with the same care as your personal purse." She confirmed that all future BISP installments and stipends will be transferred exclusively through this wallet, with all payment-related messages received on this particular SIM. All eligible women are advised to collect their free SIMs from BISP offices or designated camp sites by December 31.
This move is viewed by experts as a significant step towards digitizing welfare payments in Pakistan. By using dedicated SIMs and digital wallets, the government is effectively eliminating intermediaries, which should dramatically increase transparency and reduce potential corruption in the cash distribution process, although the security of the new digital wallets will be critical for success.
