BISP distributes free SIMs to digitise financial aid for women

The government has taken a major step towards digitising its social protection system as the Benazir Income Support Programme has begun distributing free SIMs to its women beneficiaries across the country.

The ‘Social Protection Wallet’ initiative aims to give women direct and secure access to their financial assistance, replacing older systems that often involved long queues, cash handling and the risk of fraud. Once activated, the SIM will serve as each beneficiary’s digital wallet, carrying all future BISP payments and official messages.

SIM distribution is being carried out six days a week in a controlled and secure environment. Women must bring their original CNIC and mobile phone to BISP’s Dynamic Registry Centres (DRCs) to receive the SIM. Eligible women have been advised to collect their SIMs from designated offices or campsites by December 31.

Once a SIM is issued, BISP immediately activates the Social Protection Wallet on it. This means women will no longer need to rely on cash disbursement points or middlemen to receive their financial assistance. The digital system is designed to minimise chances of fraud, increase transparency and provide women with more dignity and control over their financial support.

Under the phased rollout, the first phase began on November 17 across 41 districts through the DRCs, where women received their free SIMs after biometric verification. More than 5,700 SIMs were handed out in the first 24 hours of the pilot launch, covering over 30 districts.

Future phases will expand the initiative further: Phase-II will begin on November 24 in another 53 districts, and Phase-III will start on December 1 in 52 high-load districts, with multiple camps per tehsil to manage 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 milestone’ in Pakistan’s push towards transparency, financial inclusion, and a cashless economy.

With a symbolic palm touch, 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 the ‘landmark decision that will safeguard genuine recipients and protect them from undue difficulties’.

The prime minister termed the launch ‘a great leap towards a cashless economy’ and recalled that during Ramazan, 78 per cent of the relief package was successfully disbursed digitally despite scepticism and resistance from vested interests. “Cashless transactions are the pressing requirement of our times. They save time, eliminate corruption, and bring efficiency, helping Pakistan progress rapidly,” he said.

About BISP

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

Launched in July 2008 by the Pakistan People’s Party government under the then prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, the programme was named after Benazir Bhutto, and its core purpose was to support the poor families following the sharp rise in food and fuel prices during 2007–2008. It covers around 10 million beneficiary households and operates nationwide through a network of 385 tehsil offices, 33 divisional offices, six regional offices and its headquarters in Islamabad.