Free SIM cards under BISP to facilitate digital disbursement of aid from March 2026 as government promotes cashless economy
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Photo: File
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered that financial assistance under the Ramadan program be distributed exclusively through digital wallets, saying the move would help ensure the dignity and self-respect of beneficiaries.
Chairing a review meeting on third-party validation of the Ramadan package proposed by the federal government, Shehbaz said distributing aid through digital wallets would also support the transition to a cashless economy. He added that the participation of the State Bank of Pakistan would facilitate this process.
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Shehbaz said a social protection wallet system was being introduced under the Benazir Income Support Scheme, under which SIM cards would be provided to eligible beneficiaries. He added that from March 2026, aid payments would be distributed digitally through these SIM cards.
The Prime Minister said the Federal Government had put in place a scheme to provide essential food items to low-income households at subsidized rates under the Ramadan scheme. He said the previous model of utility stores had been affected by mismanagement and irregularities, which had left some beneficiaries unable to collect their dues.
He tasked relevant institutions to prepare an improved program for the upcoming Ramadan, saying financial assistance and social protection for low- and middle-income households were the government’s priorities.
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The Prime Minister asked ministries and agencies to ensure that eligible low-income households are included wherever possible in the support package. He also called for the creation of a digital dashboard and monitoring system to oversee implementation.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Poverty Alleviation Minister Syed Imran Ahmed Shah, National Food Security Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain and IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja attended the meeting.
The meeting was also attended by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar, as well as chairmen of NADRA and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority and other senior officials.
