A Transformational Shift in Social Welfare in Pakistan
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Poverty Alleviation has put forward initiatives that will serve as a game changer in public welfare. They seek to advance the Benazir Income Support Programme. The reforms will tackle the issues of neglecting chronic understaffing and obsolete workflows. They will also deploy sophisticated digital services to the program’s users.
These reforms go hand in hand with the precise goals of operational effectiveness as well as improving the dignity, trust, and security of the Pakistani socioeconomically weakest demographics. BISP is on the verge of one of the most extensive transformations in its history, with mobile biometric ID and BISP wallets being integrated.
Why Reform is Needed
The BISP program as a social assistance instrument targeting low-income families in Pakistan has faced a number of systemic difficulties that undermined its efficiency. Some of the key issues include:
High vacancy rates eliminate the filling of critical understaffing.
Inefficient and prolonged processes of fund transfers.
Problems with verification procedures often impede or completely block access to funds.
Problems with verification procedures often impede or completely block access to funds.
The committee’s reform plan moves toward these goals by better staffing and technology.
What is changing?
Rebuilding BISP’s Workforce BISP is tasked with filling thousands of roles with vacant posts; over 3,400 authorized roles for the program are sitting empty. Only two thirds of these roles are filled. The program is, in fact, dependent on borrowed staff from other departments. This has created a system with very low efficiency, weak accountability, and ineffective control. The reform suggests immediate hiring of qualified permanent staff to better control efficiency for the program. The program aims to achieve fully staffed positions by the end of the fiscal year.
Accelerating Digital Transformation To improve the efficiency of the payment centers, BISP has introduced a new system called Sahulat accounts which integrates mobile wallets with bank accounts. By making this shift, beneficiaries are provided with more control over their funds and are less dependent on physically visiting over-crowded payment centers.
Characteristics of the new system
Integration of banking platforms and mobile wallets
Biometric secure login
Fraud protection using two-factor verification
Cash withdrawals through ATMs and agents.
This shift is particularly advantageous for rural women who, before this change, faced challenges using banking services.
Biometric verification is being introduced – for enhancing the system’s security, BISP is implementing biometric fingerprint authentication for most transactions. The beneficiary is able to scan their fingerprint to access funds at designated paying places. A debit card with a secure code is issued in case biometric verification fails. This guarantees access to funds.
Execution Dates
Testing for the new system is scheduled in certain districts for the end of July. Account setup in these districts is expected to be finalized by August 15. The program will be implemented in phases if the outcomes are positive.
The pilot districts comprise a blend of urban and rural areas to evaluate adaptability. Early testing is very important to resolve the possible technical challenges as well as ease the transition for the beneficiaries into new systems.
Addressing Bank and Connectivity Challenges
One of the primary issues that the committee highlighted was the lack of commercial banking services and the beneficiary’s limits to access banking services. The committee pointed out the issues of long queues and lack of communication. They also recalled cases where services were offered but access to the service was blocked due to absence of requisite documentation. Addressing these issues has led BISP to collaborate with Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), which allows for the use of telecom records in the identification process. This will aid in resolving issues of identity verification where biometric systems encounter difficulties.
The new collaborations will facilitate the onboarding of new users, reduce the amount of documentation needed, and expand the number of service centers for the users.
Provision of Enhance Service and Dignity
The aim of these changes is to enhance service for users. The committee emphasized that users should be treated with respect, and service delivery should minimize waiting and congestion in the service delivery points. BISP seeks to enhance service by shifting to a digital, low-touch system that safeguards personal data while automating and expediting the payment process.
Securing Transparency and Safety
BISP has put into place a number of measures protective of public trust and anticipate the possibility of diversion of funds.
Separate accounts for individuals based on biometrics.
Each account is managed digitally.
Alerts of payments and account changes are real-time via SMS.
Payments are made in a staggered manner and sent in portions to avoid congestion.
There are internal audits and continuous monitoring of systems.
With BISP adopting these measures, the organization is poised to improve transparency, minimize corruption, and meet global standards for welfare systems.
Outreach and Access Extension
Under this scope, the agency has also been directed to expand BISP services to areas that have been ignored, such as Munda and Balambat.
Addressing questions that have been raised
What is a Sahulat?
Sahulat accounts are designed with the aim of providing social support, and have a lower opening cost providing mobile wallet services that allows quick access to deposits and withdrawals.
Does the beneficiary require a smartphone?
No, the system can also be accessed via basic mobile phones and biometric kiosks. This is particularly helpful for individuals residing in areas with poor network coverage.
What If Someone Is Unable to Provide a Fingerprint?
A secure debit card is issued after proper identification, ensuring that no one is excluded due to technicalities.
Is this system secure?
Yes. Biometric identification, one-time passwords (OTPs), and encryption all make this system a high strategic security. In addition, BISP actively watches for abnormal transaction patterns and flags them as suspicious.
A Guiding Model for Future Welfare BISP’s integration of technology for safe and smooth user experiences positions it as a potential leader in contemporary social protection systems. This serves fundamental social safety nets as they transcend mere financial assistance, striving to enable citizens to cultivate and harness socioeconomic opportunities.
Final Statements BISP’s contemporary drastic overhaul comes in the wake of rising inflation and persistent inequality, straining the most vulnerable demographics in the country. The bold and decisive actions seeking to modernize operations through streamlining staff-limited services, biometric-enabled bank and welfare services, and enhanced service delivery are welcomed. If these bold policy changes are backed with effective monitoring and evaluation frameworks, they can sustainably shift the lives of citizens toward enhanced social justice and inclusion.
