BISP increases cash support by Rs1,000 for 1st Ramazan beneficiaries

ISLAMABAD:

The Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) on Wednesday increased cash assistance for its beneficiaries, increasing the quarterly amount of the Benazir Kafalat program by Rs 1,000, taking the new allocation to Rs 14,500 from the first month of Ramazan.

Additionally, BISP announced an increase of Rs500 in stipends for Benazir Scholarship and Benazir Nashonuma Program beneficiaries. These improvements aim to provide more financial assistance to program beneficiaries, especially in the run-up to the holy month of Ramazan.

The decision was disclosed during a live e-Katcheri session held at the BISP headquarters in Islamabad, led by Senator Rubina Khalid.

The e-Katcheris are interactive sessions designed to address public concerns, understand the challenges faced by beneficiaries and ensure timely resolution of any issues.

With the revised increase of Rs 1,000, the quarterly stipend for women eligible for the Benazir Kafalat scheme has been increased from Rs 13,500 to Rs 14,500. Meanwhile, stipends under Benazir Scholarships for girls in the primary section have been increased by Rs500, taking the total to Rs3,000. For secondary school students, the stipend has been increased to Rs3 800.

Addressing the session participants, Senator Rubina highlighted the importance of financial support, especially during Ramazan.

“A significant increase in financial assistance is being provided under the BISP in view of the upcoming holy month of Ramazan,” she said. “Ramazan is a month of blessings, patience and compassion, and in keeping with this spirit, BISP extends maximum possible relief to deserving families.”

She further highlighted the legitimate rights of beneficiaries, urging women to ensure that they receive the full amount due to them and not accept any unauthorized deductions. “The allowance is your legal right, and BISP will take strict action against any attempt at unfair deduction or malpractice,” she warned.

Senator Rubina also encouraged women to raise their voices with confidence against injustice. She reiterated that no compromise would be made regarding the rights of BISP beneficiaries.

In case of any complaint, the beneficiaries have been asked to contact the BISP helpline at 0800-26477 or visit the nearest BISP office.

During the live e-Katcheri, 31 callers from across Pakistan directly contacted the BISP Chairman to raise their concerns. The session lasted for an hour and concerned Director Generals and officials of BISP were present to ensure speedy resolution of complaints. The most common issues raised by callers included questions related to resurvey, biometric verification, program enrollment and stipend disbursement.

Senator Rubina listened carefully to all the grievances and gave clear directions to the authorities concerned, emphasizing that any negligence in handling public complaints would not be tolerated. She stressed that all issues must be resolved within the stipulated time, ensuring that no delays or oversights occur in meeting the needs of the beneficiaries.