The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) has begun a major digital shift by rolling out its new Social Protection Wallets to one million beneficiaries across Pakistan. Positioned as one of the world’s largest technology-driven social protection initiatives, the system aims to make financial assistance more transparent, secure, and accessible for low-income women relying on government support.
As part of the transition to this updated digital payment model, BISP has started issuing free mobile SIMs to eligible women nationwide. These SIMs will serve as the primary gateway to the Social Protection Wallet, enabling beneficiaries to receive cash assistance directly through a controlled and streamlined digital channel.
The initiative follows directives from President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who tasked BISP with modernizing its payment services and enhancing operational efficiency. By adopting a digital-first model, the government intends to reduce manual dependencies, curb unauthorized involvement, and reinforce the financial autonomy of vulnerable women.
During the official announcement, BISP Chairperson Senator Rubina Khalid detailed the process beneficiaries must follow to access the system. Women enrolled in BISP can visit their nearest BISP office or designated distribution camp with their original CNIC and a functioning mobile phone. After biometric verification, each eligible participant will receive a free SIM that will be used to activate the Social Protection Wallet.
Senator Khalid emphasized that the SIMs are provided at no cost and urged beneficiaries not to pay anyone for assistance. She reaffirmed that only BISP personnel are authorized to activate the wallets and that beneficiaries should avoid engaging unverified individuals or middlemen. Her message highlighted the organization’s focus on protecting users against exploitation during the transition to a digital framework.
Explaining the functionality of the wallet, she said all future BISP payments, instalments, and program-related notifications will be delivered exclusively through this digital channel. By centralizing updates and transactions within a controlled environment, BISP aims to ensure secure communication and reduce the risk of misinformation or fraud.
Senator Khalid described the SIM as a digital wallet that represents financial empowerment for women, urging beneficiaries to safeguard it as they would any valuable personal item. She added that the platform is designed to simplify the process of receiving assistance while strengthening the long-term financial independence of deserving women across the country.
BISP has advised all eligible beneficiaries to collect their free SIMs from official offices or assigned camps by December 31 as part of the nationwide rollout. The organization expects the system to serve as a cornerstone for future digital social protection initiatives in Pakistan, setting the foundation for more secure and transparent financial support mechanisms.
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