The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) has announced a new phase of digital reforms, as monthly stipends will now be issued entirely through digital channels for the first time in the programme’s history.

According to official details, more than ten million underprivileged women across Pakistan have now become holders of formal bank accounts — a milestone achieved under the latest government initiative. Until now, these beneficiaries were receiving payments through limited-liability accounts, which restricted access and often led to complaints of inconvenience or exploitation.

BISP Secretary Aamir Ali Ahmed said the opening of ten million mobile wallet accounts became possible after a series of government-level meetings. Data shows that HBL has opened 3.1 million accounts, Bank Alfalah 3 million, the Bank of Punjab 2 million, JazzCash 1.2 million, and Easypaisa around 700,000 accounts. These accounts will be linked to beneficiaries’ CNICs and operated through mobile phones.

The government, with support from telecom companies, is also providing free SIM cards to beneficiaries. Withdrawals will only be permitted through biometric verification, and no debit cards will be issued — a decision aimed at preventing exploitation by agents or family members. So far, 1.7 million SIMs have been distributed, with targets set to reach 30 percent by next month and 80 percent by March.

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Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed that all BISP payments become 100 percent digital by June next year. Provinces have already been assigned SIM distribution quotas.

Launched in 2008, BISP currently offers a quarterly stipend of Rs13500, which may increase to Rs14500 under IMF requirements. The government has allocated Rs716 billion for the programme this year.