BISP launches nationwide campaign to raise awareness about digital payments

LAHORE, Oct 09 (APP): The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) has launched a nationwide awareness and training campaign to educate women beneficiaries about its new digital payment system, enabling them to withdraw their payments from any authorised retailer of partner banks across Pakistan after receiving a payment confirmation SMS.

Addressing the opening training session here on Friday, Additional Secretary BISP Dr. Asmat Nawaz emphasised that effective staff training, capacity building and comprehensive awareness among women beneficiaries were essential for the successful implementation of the digital payment system.

He said the interoperability feature would allow beneficiaries to withdraw their payments from authorised retailers of partner banks in any city across the country according to their convenience. The facility would reduce their dependence on designated payment centres, minimise travel expenses and difficulties, and ensure easier access to financial assistance.

Dr. Asmat Nawaz urged BISP staff to guide women beneficiaries on the proper use of digital wallets, safeguarding their mobile phones and SIM cards, receiving their full payments and keeping transaction-related SMS messages secure.

He made it clear that unauthorised deductions from beneficiaries’ payments would not be tolerated. He advised women facing payment-related complaints to contact the BISP helpline at 0800-26477 or approach their relevant tehsil office for assistance.

He also acknowledged the support of UNICEF’s Social Policy Section in organising the training activities.

The session was attended by Director General Operations and Monitoring Adnan Ghuman, Director General Punjab Naseeruddin Sarwar, Director Payment Faisal Aslam, Director Media Qurat ul Ain Fatima, Director Central Zone Waqar-un-Nisa, Deputy Director Training Dr. Qurat ul Ain, consultants Farrukh and Hamza, and other BISP and Punjab officials and staff.