THIS is with reference to the editorial ‘BISP overhaul’ (Nov 6), which raised concerns about the inclusion of ineligible beneficiaries in the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). The matter discussed in the Sindh Assembly relates to payments made to the beneficiaries who were delisted from the programme in 2019. Besides, these payments, linked to an earlier phase of the programme, are not part of any recent or ongoing disbursements.

The BISP in the last couple of years has introduced a series of stringent checks and safeguards to prevent inclusion errors. The programme now employs advanced data-matching techniques with the National Database Registration Authority (Nadra) and other government databases to verify eligibility before including individuals in the programme.

These protocols ensure that government employees, their spouses, high-income individuals and those with assets, such as land or vehicles, are excluded from BISP.

BISP Spokesperson
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2024