BISP distributes free SIMs to digitize financial aid to women

The government has taken a major step towards digitizing its social protection system as the Benazir Income Support Program has started distributing free SIM cards to its 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 risk of fraud. Once activated, the SIM card will serve as each beneficiary’s digital wallet and carry all future BISP payments and official messages.

SIM distribution takes place six days a week in a controlled and secure environment. Women must bring their original CNIC and mobile phone to the BISP Dynamic Registration Centers (DRCs) to receive the SIM. Eligible women have been advised to collect their SIM cards from designated offices or camps before December 31.

Once a SIM is issued, BISP immediately activates the Social Protection Portfolio on it. This means that women will no longer have to rely on cash disbursement points or intermediaries to receive their financial assistance. The digital system is designed to minimize the chances of fraud, increase transparency and give women more dignity and control over their financial support.

Under the gradual rollout, the first phase began on November 17 in 41 districts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where women received their free SIM cards after biometric verification. More than 5,700 SIM cards were delivered in the first 24 hours of the pilot launch, covering more than 30 districts.

Future phases will further expand the initiative: Phase II will begin on November 24 in another 53 districts, and Phase III will begin on December 1 in 52 high-burden 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 drive towards transparency, financial inclusion and a cashless economy.

With a symbolic touch of the palm, 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 the real beneficiaries and protect them from undue hardship.”

The prime minister called the launch “a giant leap towards a cashless economy” and recalled that during Ramadan, 78 percent of the relief package was successfully disbursed digitally despite skepticism and resistance from vested interests. “Cashless transactions are a 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. 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 then Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, the program was named after Benazir Bhutto and its main objective was to support poor families following the sharp rise in food and fuel prices during 2007-2008. It covers around 10 million beneficiary households and operates across the country through a network of 385 tehsil offices, 33 divisional offices, six regional offices and its headquarters in Islamabad.