Islamabad: The Standing Committee on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety convened its 17th meeting today under the leadership of Mir Ghulam Ali Talpur, focusing on the digital transformation of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and the implementation of the Social Protection Digital Wallet. Discussions highlighted the interoperability of beneficiary accounts and compliance enforcement among participant banks.

According to National Assembly of Pakistan, the Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) briefed the committee on the integration timeline for six participating banks, with full interoperability expected by July 31, 2026. The financial costs of interoperability will be borne by beneficiaries, with transaction charges applying only to cash withdrawals. The committee expressed concerns over public awareness and contractual compliance, urging BISP to enhance its implementation strategy and media outreach.

The committee also addressed a tragic incident at a BISP payment center in Rahim Yar Khan, resulting in fatalities and injuries. Compensation has been provided to affected families, with the committee emphasizing the need for improved accessibility for disabled individuals at banking facilities. Administrative challenges, including staffing constraints due to federal austerity, were also deliberated, with directives for seeking exemptions to address these issues. The session included discussions on Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal and regional healthcare and empowerment initiatives. Key attendees included committee members, the Minister for Poverty Alleviation, and senior officials.