The National Assembly Standing Committee on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety has demanded urgent banking reforms to address the persistent obstacles faced by Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) recipients. During the committee’s 11th meeting, chaired by Mir Ghulam Ali Talpur, members criticized private financial institutions for prioritizing traditional customers over BISP beneficiaries.
The BISP Secretary presented a two-pronged strategy to enhance financial inclusion, involving both physical ‘BISP Sahulat’ accounts and digital wallets. A pilot program for physical accounts will commence in Karachi on August 14, while the digital wallet system will utilize biometric verification through CNIC-linked mobile SIMs, adhering to new State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) regulations. Both pilot programs will operate for six months, with a comprehensive evaluation scheduled for January 2026.
The committee emphasized the importance of beneficiary awareness campaigns in underserved areas. Members also raised concerns regarding the recent Karachi building collapse and BISP”s role in aiding affected families. Ministry representatives clarified that housing and shelter fall under provincial jurisdiction.
Budget transparency for BISP’s media campaigns also drew scrutiny, with the committee requesting detailed expenditure reports for the current and upcoming fiscal years. Operational challenges, such as payment delays, were addressed, prompting calls for enhanced two-factor authentication at payment locations. The committee acknowledged the termination of Habib Bank Limited”s contract for non-compliance and advocated for stricter penalties for underperforming partner banks.
The panel requested updated Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) data from the Planning Ministry, deeming the 2019 figures obsolete. The Ministry of Poverty Alleviation was instructed to collaborate with the Finance Ministry to resolve the recruitment freeze affecting welfare activities. Officials announced that a draft National Poverty Alleviation Policy is awaiting provincial input. A federal-provincial coordination council will be formed after approval.
The Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) briefed the committee on its Rs11.7 billion externally-funded projects, spanning livestock, micro-hydel, and nutrition initiatives. The National Poverty Graduation Programme, backed by a new donor, has expanded, although procedural delays have hindered its inclusion in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP). The meeting, attended by various members including Mir Ghulam Ali Talpur, Ms Aasia Ishaque Siddiqui, and others, reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to enhancing oversight of poverty alleviation efforts and implementing systemic changes.