BISP Social Protection Wallet ends deadline for withdrawing financial aid
BISP introduces free SIM cards for beneficiaries
Under the new system, registered women will receive free mobile SIM cards linked to their digital wallets, according to BISP officials. Each eligible woman will be issued a specific SIM against her Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) to help her access financial assistance securely.
BISP Additional Secretary Ismat Nawaz said the new facility would help women gain greater financial independence. The system is designed to give beneficiaries more direct control over their money and make the payment process easier.
No deadline for withdrawing financial assistance
Previously, deserving women used a Limited Mandate Account system that required them to withdraw their money within a fixed period. If they failed to collect the amount within that period, the money was returned.
The new Social Protection Wallet removes this time limit for withdrawing funds. Women will be able to access and use their money according to their needs, without the pressure of a fixed withdrawal deadline.
No smartphone needed to use the digital wallet
BISP officials have clarified that women will not need smartphones to use the new facility. They will be able to use the SIM cards provided under the programme with ordinary mobile phones.
The system will also support interoperability, allowing beneficiaries to collect their money through agents of different participating banks. This will give women more options instead of restricting them to a single bank or payment agent.
Payment alerts aim to improve transparency
The new system will send a message to beneficiaries when money is transferred to their accounts. This will help women check when their financial assistance arrives and know the details of the transferred amount.
BISP was launched in 2008 and has introduced several changes to improve its services over the years. The Social Protection Wallet is being presented as another step towards making financial assistance more accessible, secure and transparent for deserving women.
The new digital wallet could make it easier for women to manage their financial assistance. Removing the withdrawal deadline may also reduce pressure on beneficiaries who cannot collect their money immediately.
Free SIM cards and payment alerts could improve access and transparency, while the use of ordinary mobile phones may help women who do not own smartphones. The success of the system will depend on its implementation, the availability of participating bank agents and beneficiaries’ ability to use the service without difficulty.
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