BISP distributes free SIM cards to digitize financial assistance for women

The government has taken a major step towards digitalization of its social protection system as the Benazir Income Support Program has started distributing free SIM cards to its female beneficiaries across the country.

The Social Protection Wallet initiative aims to give women direct and secure access to their financial support, replacing old systems which often involved long queues, cash handling and the risk of fraud. Once activated, the SIM card will serve as a digital wallet for each beneficiary, carrying all future BISP payments and official messages.

SIM card distribution takes place six days a week in a controlled and secure environment. Women need to bring their original CNIC and mobile phone to the BISP Dynamic Registration Centers (DRC) to receive the SIM card. Eligible women have been advised to collect their SIM cards from designated offices or campsites before December 31.

Once a SIM card is issued, BISP immediately activates the social protection wallet on it. This means that women will no longer need to rely on cash transfer points or intermediaries to receive their financial assistance. The digital system is designed to minimize the risk of fraud, increase transparency and provide women with more dignity and control over their financial support.

As part of this gradual deployment, the first phase began on November 17 in 41 districts of the DRC, where women received their free SIM card after biometric verification. Over 5,700 SIMs were distributed in the first 24 hours of the pilot launch, covering over 30 districts.

Future phases will further expand the initiative: Phase II will begin on November 24 in 53 more districts, and Phase III will begin on December 1 in 52 high-burden districts, with multiple camps per tehsil to handle the large number of beneficiaries.

In August, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif launched 10 million digital wallets for BISP beneficiaries, describing the move as a “historic step” in Pakistan’s efforts towards transparency, financial inclusion and a cashless economy.

With a symbolic palm gesture, the Prime Minister inaugurated the system in the presence of federal ministers, BISP officials and international partners, including GIZ.

He congratulated BISP Chairperson, Senator Rubina Khalid, and partner institutions for this “historic decision which will protect the genuine beneficiaries and protect them from undue hardship.”

The Prime Minister called the launch “a big step towards a cashless economy” and recalled that during the month of Ramazan, 78% of the humanitarian aid program was successfully disbursed digitally despite skepticism and resistance from vested interests. “Cashless transactions are a pressing requirement of our times. They save time, eliminate corruption and bring efficiency, thereby helping Pakistan achieve rapid progress,” he said.

About BISP

BISP is Pakistan’s largest social protection initiative. It provides financial assistance to low-income households, particularly women, to help them meet their basic needs such as food, health and education.

Launched in July 2008 by the Pakistan People’s Party government under the leadership of then Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, the program was named after Benazir Bhutto and its main objective was to support poor families following the sharp rise in food and fuel prices in 2007-2008. It covers around 10 million beneficiary households and operates nationally through a network of 385 tehsil offices, 33 divisional offices, six regional offices and its headquarters in Islamabad.