Islamabad: First Lady Bibi Asifa Bhutto Zardari has highlighted the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) as a lasting reflection of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto's vision to provide support and opportunity to vulnerable segments of society. She made these remarks while speaking to a delegation of the Benazir Income Support Programme, led by Chairperson BISP Senator Rubina Khalid, which visited her in Islamabad.

According to Radio Pakistan, Bibi Asifa Bhutto Zardari commended the efforts to enhance transparency, financial inclusion, and service delivery through ongoing reforms in the BISP. She stressed the importance of effective social protection programs in supporting deserving families and enabling women to participate more actively in economic and social life. During the meeting, a comprehensive overview of BISP's progress, ongoing reforms, and impacts on deserving families nationwide was presented to the First Lady.

The delegation informed her that 716 billion rupees were allocated for BISP during the financial year 2025-26, with a proposed budget of 844 billion rupees for the next financial year. Under the Benazir Kafaalat Programme, a quarterly cash assistance of 14,500 rupees is currently being provided to 12 million households, with plans to increase the stipend to 18,000 rupees from January 2027.

In her remarks, Chairperson BISP Senator Rubina Khalid stated that the BISP, launched and established by President Asif Ali Zardari in 2008 following the vision of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, is the practical manifestation of her commitment to dignified social protection for vulnerable segments of society. She mentioned that BISP is evolving beyond cash assistance towards an integrated, digital, and empowering social protection system.