Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari has called for a significant expansion in the outreach and beneficiary base of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), aiming to enhance support for underprivileged groups in Pakistan. During a meeting with BISP Chairperson Rubina Khalid, the President discussed various strategies to extend the program’s impact, including the establishment of a new office in Gwadar.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the briefing with Chairperson Khalid included a comprehensive review of BISP’s core initiatives such as the Benazir Kafalat Program, Benazir Taleemi Wazaif Program, BISP Scholarships for Undergraduates Program, and Benazir Nashounuma Program. The President expressed his concerns about the 0.45 percent service charges levied by banks on BISP cardholders, advocating for these charges to be waived to prevent financial exploitation of the beneficiaries.

The President also highlighted the importance of engaging donors and the private sector to expand the scholarship offerings under BISP, aiming to reach a larger number of deserving students. Additionally, he underscored the role of the new payment system in safeguarding BISP beneficiaries from potential abuses.

During the fiscal year, Rs 598.718 billion has been allocated to BISP, with the Benazir Kafalat program, which provides unconditional cash transfers to eligible women and transgender persons across Pakistan, being identified as the flagship initiative.