Benazir Income Support Programme(BISP)

The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) is a federal unconditional cash

transfer poverty reduction program in Pakistan. Launched in July 2008, it was the largest
single social safety net program in the country with nearly Rs. 90 billion ($900 million)
distributed to 5.4 million beneficiaries in 2016.
History
The Benazir Income Support Programme was established in 2008 by Yousaf Raza Gillani who
took the advice of President Asif Ali Zardari. The program's name is a tribute to former Prime
Minister and wife of President Asif Ali Zardari, Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated in 2007.
Since 2005, the purchasing power of many Pakistani families has been eroded by high
inflation and the increasing cost of food and oil. BISP arose against this backdrop as a means
to address reductions in purchasing power. Along with the economic development aims of the
program, BISP also seeks to empower women by presenting cash transfers directly to female
members of households.
BISP is currently the largest aid program in Pakistan and the government's third largest
budgetary allocation. BISP spending accounts for 0.3% of Pakistan's GDP.
The Benazir Income Support Programme is planning to launch a new initiative that
encourages human capital development through a conditional cash transfer. The Waseela-e-
Taleem initiative will condition cash payments on primary school enrolment for the children
of eligible families. On 18 June 2017, BISP launched an e-commerce platform for its
beneficiaries.
Program structure
The Benazir Income Support Programme has been implemented in the provinces
of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber-Pakhtonnkhwa. The program also operates in the
federally administered regions of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and the Islamabad Capital
Territory.
Eligibility
To be eligible for cash payments under BISP, families must earn less than RS 6,000 per month;
equivalent to $67. Further eligibility requirements stipulate that:

 Families must have a female applicant holding a valid ID card

 An individual applicant must be a widowed or divorced female without male family
members
 Eligible families include those with physically or mentally disabled individuals
Families deemed ineligible for cash payments through BISP include those with:

 Members employed by the Pakistani government, army, or any other government-

affiliated agency
 Members drawing a pension or receiving post-retirement benefits from the
government
  Family members owning more than 3 acres of farmland or more than 80 square
yards of residential land
 Members receiving income from other sources
 Members holding a machine readable passport
 Members with a National Identity Card for Overseas citizens
 Members with a bank account excluding microfinance banks and those catering to
low-income families
Primary Objectives of the Interventions
 To prevent stunting in children under two years of age

 Improved weight gain of pregnant women during pregnancy

 Reduce anaemia and micronutrient deficiencies
 Improved awareness of maternal and early child health and nutrition
 Reduced disease burden through improved uptake of available health and nutrition
services
 Prevent low birth weight
Links with SDGS
According to the Copenhagen Consensus, ensuring good nutrition is the single most
important, cost-effective means of advancing human well-being and advancing on the
Millennium Development Goals now the sustainable development goals (SDGs)

Design Parameters

The programme aims to address stunting among pregnant and lactating women (PLW) and
their children less than 2 years of age through the provision of additional cash of PKR 2,000
per quarter per PLW and boy child and PKR 2,500/- per quarter per girl child of BISP
beneficiary families. In return, mothers must commit to attending regular antenatal health
checks and awareness sessions during pregnancy, consuming specialized nutritious food
(SNF), and taking their children for immunization and regular health checks.

Project Area

Initially, the programme was piloted in 14 districts of the country. After successful
implementation of pilot programme, BISP Board approved rollout of the programme
throughout the country.

Currently, Nashonuma Programme is operationalized in 158 districts of the country with

a network of 512 Nashonuma Centres including mobile sites as well.

“Uptil Now, we have reached Over 1,275,800 individuals including

645,800 pregnant women and 63,000 children”

Application Process
Eligible households can apply by visiting the nearest BISP office or through the online portal.
The application requires basic information about the household, including the number of
family members and their income.
The BISP conducts a verification process to confirm the eligibility of the household after the
submission of the application. Upon approval, the household receives a BISP card, which they
can use to withdraw cash transfers from designated banks or ATMs.

Benefits of BISP

Eligible families receive cash payments of 8500 quarterly. This amount increases the
purchasing power for families earning approximately RS 2,800 each month by 20%. Most low-
income families spend 50–70% of total income on food alone. According to BISP, the cash
payment of RS 8,500 every quarter, or RS 2,833 each month, will allow a family of 5–6 to
purchase 20–25 days worth of flour.

Here are some of the major benefits of BISP:

 Poverty Reduction

It aims to reduce poverty by providing direct cash transfers to eligible households. This helps
increase their income and improve their standard of living.

 Empowerment of Women

It specifically targets women as the primary beneficiaries of the program. This not only helps
alleviate poverty but also empowers women by giving them control over financial resources

 Improved Health and EducationWawamum and Mamta Sachet are also included in the
Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) to combat malnutrition in Pakistan:

1. Wawamum:

 Wawamum is a nutrition product developed by the United Nations' World Food

Programme (WFP).It aims to protect children in Pakistan from malnutrition.

 Composition:
  Wawamum is a locally produced lipid-based nutrient supplement containing roasted
chickpeas, vegetable oil, dry skimmed milk powder, sugar, micronutrients, emulsifier,
and antioxidants.

 Regular supplementation of 50g of Wawamum significantly reduces anaemia, stunting,

and wasting among children under two years of age.

 Distribution: Cash transfers are processed upon verification of compliance with

quarterly conditions for pregnant and lactating women (PLW) and children aged 6 to
23 months.

2. Mamta Sachet:

 Unfortunately, specific information about Mamta Sachet is limited. However, it is also

provided by the BISP program to address malnutrition.

 Like Wawamum, Mamta Sachet likely serves as a nutritional supplement for vulnerable
populations.

 The BISP program ensures that eligible families receive Mamta Sachet as part of their
support package.

 Increased Financial Inclusion

BISP also promotes financial inclusion by encouraging beneficiaries to open bank accounts.
This helps increase access to financial services and promotes savings and investment.
  Social Cohesion

By reducing poverty and increasing the standard of living of low-income households, BISP
helps promote social cohesion and reduce inequality in society.

Challenges and Criticisms

The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), a significant social safety net initiative in South
East Asia, has faced several challenges and criticisms. Let’s delve into them:

1. Inaccurate Targeting:
o Some households that are ineligible end up receiving benefits, while eligible ones
are left out due to imprecise targeting1.
2. Limited Funds:
o The program’s budget constraints restrict the number of households that can be
covered, potentially leaving out deserving beneficiaries1.
3. Political Interference:
o Critics argue that the program is sometimes influenced by political considerations,
rather than solely focusing on the poorest and most vulnerable segments of
society1.
4. Vague Eligibility Criteria:
o The definition of eligibility criteria lacks clarity, leading to inequities in benefit
distribution2.
5. Poor Implementation:
o Challenges related to data collection, understanding data management, and weak
verification methodologies have hindered effective implementation2.
6. Risk of Politicization and Elite Capture:
o Decisions made at the local level may be influenced by local elites, potentially
compromising the program’s objectives2.

Despite these challenges, BISP has made significant strides in poverty alleviation, and efforts to
enhance transparency, accountability, and outreach remain crucial for its continued success 34.

Conclusion

BISP is a crucial social welfare program that provides financial assistance to low-income
households in Pakistan. While it has faced several challenges, it remains a vital safety net for
the poorest and most vulnerable segments of society. By continuing to improve its targeting
and addressing its limitations, BISP can help reduce poverty and inequality in Pakistan.