Benazir Income Support Programme
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 ($900 million) distributed to 5.4 million beneficiaries in 2016.
بینظیر انکم سپورٹ پروگرام | |
| Abbreviation | BISP |
|---|---|
| Named after | Benazir Bhutto |
| Formation | July 2008 |
| Type | Social safety net |
| Focus | Health, Education, Social Protection, Reduce poverty, Enhance financial capacity of poor people |
| Headquarters | F-Block, Pakistan Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan |
| Methods | Donations, Scholarship |
| Owner | Government of Pakistan |
Chairperson of BISP | Vacant |
| Affiliations | Government of Pakistan |
Budget | US$ 1.15 Billion |
Employees | 2,381 |
| Website | bisp |
The program distributed Rs.19,338 (or approx. $195) per annum distributed per month in the year 2016. The stipend is linked to the Consumer Price Index and is paid through a smart card. The Department for International Development of the United Kingdom is the largest foreign backer of the program, providing $244 million (or 27%) of the total funds in 2016 with the Pakistani Government providing the rest.
A separate ministry, Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety (PASS), was established and Benazir Income Support Program was made part of the Poverty Alleviation and Social Security Division.