BISP Chairperson reviews operations in Shigar, Ghanche; highlights digital wallets and skills training initiative

ISLAMABAD, Jun 02 (APP): Chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Senator Rubina Khalid Tuesday visited BISP offices in Shigar and Ghanche districts of Gilgit-Baltistan, where she interacted with women beneficiaries, reviewed programme operations, and highlighted upcoming reforms aimed at improving financial inclusion and women’s empowerment.

During her visit to the BISP District Office in Shigar, the chairperson met beneficiaries, listened to their concerns, and directed officials to address complaints and issues on a priority basis. She also briefed beneficiaries on the Digital Wallet system and reviewed the ongoing distribution of free mobile SIMs.

Senator Rubina Khalid said future payments under the Benazir Kafaalat Programme would be made through Digital Wallets to enhance transparency, convenience, and financial inclusion. She advised beneficiaries to keep their SIM cards secure, noting that the free SIMs would enable eligible women to open digital accounts and receive payments directly through the new system.

Urging beneficiaries to collect their SIMs before June 15, she said timely registration would help avoid any disruption in future payments.

Later, the BISP chairperson visited the Tehsil Office in Daghoni, District Ghanche, where she highlighted the objectives of the Benazir Hunarmand Programme.

She said the initiative would provide market-oriented skills training to women and their family members to improve employment opportunities and economic prospects.

She added that educated women would also receive training in digital and financial literacy, enabling them to take advantage of modern financial services and emerging economic opportunities.

Senator Rubina Khalid further revealed that a policy was being developed to facilitate the inclusion of unmarried women in the programme, allowing a larger number of deserving women to benefit from social protection and empowerment initiatives.

Director General BISP Gilgit-Baltistan, Muhammad Alam, accompanied the chairperson during the visits.