Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has launched the “Benazir Social Protection Account” enabling beneficiary women to receive payments directly in their accounts through designated banks.
This initiative was launched under the under the Benazir Income Support Programme.
Addressing the ceremony, Shehbaz Sharif directed the BISP authorities to place a condition for the Programme beneficiaries to get their children enrolled in schools to promote the education culture in the country. He said it must be ensured that after a certain period the beneficiaries would get stipends only in case their children were attending schools.
Briefing about the salient features of the Benazir Social Protection Account, Minister for Poverty Alliviation and Social Protection Shazia Marri said under the new system, beneficiary women would have the option to select the bank of their choice, and they would receive the payments directly in their accounts which they could withdraw at their convenience.
She said four banks namely National Bank of Pakistan, Bank Alfalah, JS Bank Limited and United Bank Limited have been initially selected through a competitive process for the new payment model.
Shehbaz Sharif appreciated Minister Shazia Marri for her hard work to expand the Programme, particularly introduction of the Benazir Social Protection Account which would help the beneficiaries to receive the stipends without any hassle, besides ensuring transparency in the system.
Shazia Marri said last year, the BISP’s budget was increased from 235 billion rupees to 404.2 billion rupees, with an overall increase of 72 percent taking the number of beneficiaries from 7.2 million to 9 million, which was a testament of the coalition government’s commitment to protect the most vulnerable and marginalized segment of society. Besides, the number of families eligible for the BISP has risen from 7.6 million to 9 million.
A book titled “15 Years of Benazir Income Support Programme” encompassing 15-year journey of the Benazir Income Support Programme was also launched during the ceremony.
Source: Radio Pakistan