BISP Has Added 7 Lakh More Families, Total 10 Million Families Will Be Facilitated In 2025

The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) is Pakistan’s largest social welfare initiative, designed to provide financial help to low-income families, especially women, to reduce poverty and promote economic stability. Launched in 2008, it has grown into a lifeline for millions of Pakistanis.

In 2025, BISP announced a significant expansion, increasing the number of beneficiaries from 9.3 million to 10 million. This expansion adds 700,000 new women from low-income families to the program, aiming to reach more people struggling with rising living costs.

Why the Expansion?

• Rising Poverty: Over 40% of Pakistan’s population lives below the poverty line, according to World Bank estimates. The expansion targets more families in need.
• Increased Budget: For the fiscal year 2024-2025, BISP’s budget grew from PKR 471.23 billion to PKR 598.71 billion, a 27% increase. This allows the program to support more people.
• Women’s Empowerment: BISP focuses on women, who often face economic barriers. Adding 700,000 women aligns with the goal of giving them financial independence.
• NSER Survey: The NSER survey, conducted every two years, identifies new eligible families through door-to-door data collection, ensuring the program reaches the poorest households.

Key Facts and Figures

• Previous Beneficiaries: 9.3 million women were enrolled in BISP Kafaalat as of 2024.
• New Beneficiaries: 700,000 additional women will join, bringing the total to 10 million by the end of 2025.
• Payment Amount: The quarterly Kafaalat payment increased by 28.57%, from PKR 10,500 to PKR 13,500, starting January 2025.
• Budget: The 2024-2025 budget of PKR 598.71 billion supports the expansion and higher payments.
• Coverage: BISP operates in all 170 districts of Pakistan, with payment campsites and bank branches for cash distribution.
• Impact: Between 2011 and 2019, BISP reduced the percentage of beneficiaries below the poverty line from 90% to 72%, per a World Bank evaluation.

To ensure aid reaches the right people, BISP updated its eligibility criteria and verification process. The Proxy Means Test (PMT) score, which measures a family’s poverty level, was raised from 32 to 35 for widows, divorced women, and their disabled children. This change includes more vulnerable families. The 8171 web portal now shows only registration status, not payment details, to simplify verification.

How to Register for BISP

New applicants can join BISP through a simple process:

1. Check Eligibility:
   • Must be a Pakistani citizen with a valid CNIC.
   • Monthly household income below the poverty line (verified by NSER survey).
   • Not a government employee, business owner, or recipient of other financial aid (except low-grade employees).
   • Widows, divorced women, or those with disabled children may qualify with a PMT score up to 35.
2. Register:
   • Visit the nearest BISP registration center or apply online via the 8171 web portal.
   • Provide CNIC, proof of income, and household details.
   • Complete the NSER survey, conducted by BISP staff.
3. Verification:
   • BISP verifies details through NADRA and the NSER database.
   • Approved applicants receive an SMS from 8171 with payment details.
4. Collect Payments:
   • Payments are disbursed quarterly at campsites, bank branches, or mobile wallets.
   • New beneficiaries may receive a one-time higher payment (PKR 13,500) in their first cycle.

Conclusion

The expansion of BISP to 10 million beneficiaries is a major step toward reducing poverty and empowering women in Pakistan. With a higher quarterly payment of PKR 13,500, a new banking model, and stricter eligibility checks, the program is becoming more effective and transparent.