BISP plans disbursement of payment to 9.3mn beneficiaries through banks: Rubina Khalid
PESHAWAR (APP): Chairperson, Benazir Income Support Programme, Rubina Khalid here Thursday said that ensuring transparency in the disbursement of payment process was the top priority of the government and negotiation with the State Bank of Pakistan was underway for opening of the bank accounts of about 9.3 million beneficiaries of BISP for payment through banks.
Talking to reporters after visiting BISP centre at Tehsil Office-I at Ghari Rajkol on Dalazak Road here, the BISP Chairperson said that State Bank of Pakistan has been approached with a request to allow opening of the bank accounts of all BISP beneficiaries so that the payment of stipends could be made through their bank accounts that would help bring more transparency in disbursement process besides ensuring dignity and respect of the poor women.
She said this important matter was also discussed with President Asif Ali Zardari who assured every possible support in this regard. To ensure transparency, she said that BISP camps were established in all districts of KP for speedy disbursement of payment to poor women in a dignified manner.
Rubina Khalid said that she had visited many districts including far flung Kohistan after assuming the charge of office and reviewed disbursement process and heard problems of beneficiaries on ground besides issuing spot directions to the authorities for addressing people’s complaints swiftly.
She said that BISP was a national pro-poor program launched as per vision of former Prime Minister Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed and successfully continued in all four provinces, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Kashmir.
Rubina Khalid said that President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari were taken keen interest in BISP program and have passed clear instructions for ensuring transparent disbursement of stipends to all beneficiaries in dignified manner.
To a question, the Chairperson said that the BISP program has granted respect and identity to the poor women and their Computer National Identity Cards were prepared.
Besides payment of Rs 10,500 to every beneficiary after every three months, she said that stipends were also provided to their children under Benazir Waseela Taleem Program besides special stipends to all pregnant and lactating mothers and infant children up to two years under Benazir Naushnoma Program to prevent stunting in children.
Rubina Khalid said BISP is in the process of introducing the poverty graduation and skill development programme to enable children of beneficiaries to start their own business and contribute to their families and country’s development.
She said this key initiative would help uplift the lives of Benazir Income Support Programme beneficiaries and include more eligible families in the programme. She reiterated that the number of beneficiaries would be increased to 10 million.
Later, talking with BISP beneficiaries, she said that 8171 is the only official BISP number and urged people to contact the BISP helpline at 080026477 for any complaints. Director General, BISP KP, Zohra Aslam were also present.
