ISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (APP):Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Senator Rubina Khalid Monday said digital wallets has been introduced to make financial assistance payments to women beneficiaries transparent, convenient and secure, with digital wallet accounts already opened for 90 percent of beneficiaries. Addressing media representatives during her visit to the BISP Central Zonal Office in Lahore, Rubina Khalid said the digital payment system has been introduced on the special directives …
Digital wallets introduced to ensure transparent, secure BISP payments: Rubina Khalid
ISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (APP):Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Senator Rubina Khalid Monday said digital wallets has been introduced to make financial assistance payments to women beneficiaries transparent, convenient and secure, with digital wallet accounts already opened for 90 percent of beneficiaries.
Addressing media representatives during her visit to the BISP Central Zonal Office in Lahore, Rubina Khalid said the digital payment system has been introduced on the special directives of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.
She said the interoperability system would enable beneficiaries to withdraw their payments from any authorized agent of BISP’s partner banks anywhere in Pakistan.
After funds transfer to their digital wallets, beneficiaries would receive an SMS notification with details of the payment and could withdraw the amount by presenting their CNIC and registered mobile number, said a news release.
Senator Rubina Khalid said BISP staff would activate digital wallets on SIMs provided to beneficiaries and clarified that both the SIM and wallet activation were free of charge. A service charge of Rs. 280 had, however, been fixed for cash withdrawal.
She advised beneficiaries not to hand over their mobile phones or SIMs to any agent and protect their personal information.
She said funds transferred to digital wallets would remain secure and beneficiaries would not be required to withdraw the entire amount immediately. They could withdraw the money at their convenience from authorized retailers of the partner banks.
The BISP Chairperson said the programme is a continuation of the vision of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and has been translated into a practical reality under the leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari.
She rejected the perception that BISP promoted dependency, saying the programme aimed to provide deserving families with support and opportunities to overcome poverty and move towards self-reliance.
“Calling deserving women beggars undermines their dignity and self-respect,” she said, stressing that BISP is an internationally recognized social protection programme providing financial assistance to vulnerable families within available resources.
Referring to World Bank research, Senator Rubina Khalid said every rupee spent through BISP generated approximately Rs. 2.34 in economic activity in the local economy, benefiting both recipient families and the wider community.
She said BISP has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against corruption and no irregularity would be tolerated.
She added that the programme is a national social protection initiative above political affiliations and is focused on providing dignified and effective support to deserving and vulnerable segments of society.
Senator Rubina Khalid said BISP is also working with the Ministry of Information Technology to curb fraudulent activities carried out in the name of the programme.
She categorically stated that 8171 is the only official BISP number, advising beneficiaries not to respond to calls or messages received from any other number.
Earlier, Director General Punjab Naseer-ud-Din Sarwar briefed the BISP Chairperson on operational matters, payment mechanisms and ongoing activities at the Central Zonal Office.
