ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) has introduced a ‘Social Protection Wallet’ for eligible women, providing them with a modern, secure, and transparent digital facility for receiving payments.
According to BISP officials, registered eligible women will be provided with a free mobile SIM card linked to their digital wallet. The system aims to grant these women direct control over their financial assistance and simplify the process of accessing their funds.
Ismat Nawaz, Additional Secretary at BISP, stated that this facility will empower women with financial autonomy.
Under the new system, each eligible woman will be issued a specific mobile SIM card tied to her national identity card. Officials state that this initiative is intended to enhance transparency in the payment process and mitigate the risk of exploitation during the withdrawal of funds.
Previously, a ‘Limited Mandate Account’ system was in place, which required funds to be withdrawn within a specified timeframe; otherwise, the money would be returned. In contrast, the new Social Protection Wallet imposes no such time constraints, allowing women to access and utilize their funds according to their own needs.
BISP officials clarified that a smartphone is not required for this digital facility; women can use the provided SIM card in a standard, basic mobile phone.
The new system also features interoperability, enabling women to access their funds through agents from various affiliated banks, rather than being restricted to a single bank or specific agent.
To ensure transparency, eligible women will receive a notification once funds are transferred to their accounts, allowing them to view the details of the amount deposited.
It should be noted that the Benazir Income Support Programme was launched in 2008, and its system has undergone various reforms over time.
The ‘Social Protection Wallet’ is being hailed as a significant advancement in making the payment system for eligible women simpler, more secure, and more transparent.
