PM Shehbaz launches 10mn digital wallets for Benazir Income Support Programme

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif launched on Monday 10 million digital wallets for Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) beneficiaries, calling it a historic milestone in Pakistan’s journey towards transparency, financial inclusion, and a cashless economy.

The prime minister inaugurated the system in the presence of federal ministers, BISP leadership, and international partners.

“The digital wallet system is in its true sense blessed by the soul of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, as it empowers BISP beneficiaries with safe, transparent, and direct access to financial assistance,” PM Shehbaz said.

He emphasised that BISP remains a “great initiative for poverty alleviation and employment generation,” but stressed that continued efforts were needed to expand its impact.

The prime minister termed the launch “a great leap towards a cashless economy“.

“Cashless transactions are the pressing requirement of our times. They save time, end corruption, and bring efficiency, helping Pakistan progress rapidly,” he remarked.

PM Shehbaz urged BISP leadership to integrate conditionalities on education and health into the programme.

“If a family is receiving assistance, it should be linked with the condition that all children of that household attend school. Similarly, health initiatives must be tied with BISP support. Only then will this programme become a true legacy benefiting millions of children,” he stated, calling for reducing the existing eight to ten-month implementation cycle to just four months.

Beneficiary women: BISP says will open personal bank accounts

BISP chairperson Senator Rubina Khalid termed the launch an “important and historic milestone” in Pakistan’s social protection journey. “This programme, which supports over 10 million impoverished families, is not just financial assistance, it is a pathway to social and economic empowerment,” she said.

She noted that linking benefits to women’s CNICs gave them recognition and inclusion in the national database. The new wallets, she added, would “open further opportunities” and be supported by digital literacy programmes for women beneficiaries unfamiliar with technology.