Islamabad, Pakistan – [12/06/2025] – In a significant move to bolster support for its most vulnerable citizens, the Government of Pakistan has approved a substantial 20% increase in the budget allocation for the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) for the upcoming fiscal years 2025 and 2026. This decisive action underscores the government’s heightened commitment to poverty alleviation and social protection within the broader Ehsaas framework.
The increased funding, confirmed in the federal budget approvals, represents a clear prioritization of BISP, the nation’s flagship social safety net. This program, a cornerstone of the Ehsaas initiative, provides essential unconditional cash transfers primarily to millions of low-income women identified through the National Socio-Economic Registry (NSER).
Key Implications of the 20% Increase:
- Enhanced Stipends: The most direct impact is expected to be an increase in the quarterly Kafaalat stipend amount received by beneficiaries. This is crucial to help families cope with persistent inflation and maintain purchasing power.
- Potential for Expanded Coverage: The significant budgetary boost provides the necessary resources to potentially include more eligible households identified in recent or ongoing NSER surveys under the BISP umbrella.
- Strengthened Support Programs: The increase will enable BISP to further invest in and scale its linked initiatives, such as:
- Waseela-e-Taleem Digital: Encouraging school enrollment and retention for children in beneficiary families.
- Nashonuma: Combating stunting through specialized nutrition support for young children and mothers.
- Improved Service Delivery: Part of the funds can be allocated to streamlining payment systems, reducing transaction delays, enhancing the capacity of the 8171 SMS service for eligibility checks, and improving services at Ehsaas One-Window Centers.
“Approving a 20% budget increase for BISP over the next two years is a powerful reflection of our commitment to the core principles of Ehsaas – empathy and justice,” stated a senior official from the Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division. “This funding is vital to protect our poorest citizens, empower women as the primary recipients, invest in the next generation’s health and education, and provide a more robust buffer against economic shocks.”
This increase directly impacts the over 9 million families currently enrolled in BISP’s Kafaalat program. It signals the government’s intent to not only sustain but significantly strengthen this critical lifeline, ensuring it remains the bedrock of Pakistan’s social protection strategy under the Ehsaas banner for the foreseeable future.
Beneficiaries are urged to rely solely on official BISP/Ehsaas channels – the official website, the 8171 SMS service (send CNIC number), and designated payment centers – for accurate information regarding stipend amounts and disbursement schedules.
