BISP disbursements: NA panel briefed on services, digital wallets

KARACHI: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety was briefed on the implementation of interoperability services and digital wallets for Benazir Income Support Programme disbursements.

The meeting was held on Thursday here at State Bank of Pakistan’s main office, Karachi. It was attended by the Governor State Bank of Pakistan Jameel Ahmed, Deputy Governor SBP Saleemullah Khan, and representatives of leading financial institutions, and was chaired by Ghulam Ali Talpur. Senator Rubina Khalid, officers of BISP also participated in the session.

During the briefing, the committee was informed that more than ten million BISP beneficiaries are being brought into the formal financial system through digital wallets, enabling greater financial inclusion and direct interaction with banks for their additional financial needs. Representatives from HBL, Bank Alfalah, Easypaisa, Mobilink Bank, HBL Microfinance and other institutions shared progress on the initiative.

Senator Rubina Khalid stated that she had been tasked by the president of Pakistan to ensure that beneficiaries receive their payments with respect and dignity and that no amount is deducted at any stage.

She emphasised that without interoperability, the entire exercise would remain ineffective.

She noted that in the absence of multiple withdrawal options, agent monopolies had dominated the process, adversely affecting beneficiaries.

The committee was informed that the system has gradually evolved over time. Earlier, beneficiaries were unaware of their payment status, whereas they have now been provided SIMs through which they receive SMS alerts regarding their disbursements. With the introduction of interoperability, beneficiaries will be able to withdraw their payments from different banks, which will significantly reduce dependency on a single service provider and help curb monopolistic practices.

It was shared that within a short span of forty-five days, 6.7 million SIMs were distributed and fully functional digital accounts were opened, which was termed a major achievement in the social protection and financial inclusion landscape.

Deputy Governor SBP Saleemullah Khan briefed the committee on the transition towards social protection wallet-based disbursements under the Prime Minister’s Cashless Economy Initiative launched in August 2025.

He stated that the State Bank has issued instructions to banks to facilitate cashless disbursements, provide independence to beneficiaries, enable withdrawals across six participating financial institutions, and reduce concentration among limited service providers.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026