The Government of Pakistan launched the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP-SN)
in 2008 to cushion the negative effects of the food crisis and inflation on the
poor, particularly women. Later, for the implementation of its various social safety
nets initiatives, the Government transformed BISP-SN into an autonomous public sector
entity. The rapid expansion of BISP-SN’s benefits manifests the Government’s strong
commitment to protecting the poor and vulnerable. In 2009, Government of Pakistan
issued an Ordinance to provide a legal cover to BISP-SN and define its purpose and
objectives, which are summarized below: Enhance financial capacities of the poor
people and their dependent family members.
Formulate and implement comprehensive policies and targeted programmes for the uplift
of underprivileged and vulnerable people; and Reduce poverty and promote equitable
distribution of wealth especially for the low income groups. BISP-SN is a cross
sectoral entity, and the implementation of its diverse portfolio is supported through
cooperation of various partners, including the Ministry of Finance, NADRA and the
Pakistan Post. As a newly established organization, BISP-SN is rapidly getting involved
in a variety of social protection initiatives at the national level. One of these
initiatives is the Safety Net (BISP-SN), which offers cash assistance to the poorest
quintiles of the population.
The BISP-SN would introduce a Targeting Process that aims at a high degree of objectivity;
using international best practices to minimize inclusion and exclusion errors. It
introduces a payment system that is transparent and attempts to reach a high level
of beneficiary satisfaction through home delivery of payments. It has placed a case
management system to address cases that are generated by both the supply side (BISP-SN
and its partners and stakeholders) and the demand side (Eligible households and
ever married women). The BISP-SN would also introduce a new monitoring system, which
provides the basis for further enhancement in the future.
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