BISP Launches Awareness Drive for Digital Payment System

 

The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) has launched a nationwide awareness and training initiative to familiarise women beneficiaries with its newly introduced digital payment system.

Under the new arrangement, beneficiaries can collect their payments from any authorised retailer of partner banks across Pakistan after receiving a confirmation SMS. The system is designed to make access to financial assistance more convenient.

Speaking at the inaugural training session, BISP Additional Secretary Dr Asmat Nawaz emphasised that staff training, capacity building and widespread awareness among women beneficiaries were crucial to the successful rollout of the digital payment system.

He explained that the system’s interoperability feature would enable beneficiaries to withdraw their payments from authorised retailers of partner banks in any city, according to their convenience.

According to Dr Asmat Nawaz, the facility is expected to reduce reliance on designated payment centres, lower travel costs and minimise difficulties faced by women while collecting financial assistance.

He urged BISP staff to educate beneficiaries about using digital wallets correctly, keeping their mobile phones and SIM cards secure, receiving their full payments and safely retaining SMS messages related to transactions.

He also stressed that unauthorised deductions from beneficiaries’ payments would not be tolerated.

Women experiencing payment-related issues were advised to call the BISP helpline at 0800-26477 or visit their respective tehsil office to register complaints and seek assistance.

Dr Asmat Nawaz also appreciated the contribution of UNICEF’s Social Policy Section in supporting the organisation of the training activities.

The session was attended by Director General Operations and Monitoring Adnan Ghuman, Director General Punjab Naseeruddin Sarwar, Director Payment Faisal Aslam, Director Media Qurat ul Ain Fatima, Director Central Zone Waqar-un-Nisa, Deputy Director Training Dr Qurat ul Ain, consultants Farrukh and Hamza, along with other BISP officials, Punjab government representatives and staff members.