Islamabad : In an important move toward a cashless economy and enhanced social protection, the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) hosted a high-level workshop today to unveil its upcoming Mobile Wallets Payment Model. The initiative, supported by the European Union and the German Government, is set to digitize payments for millions of vulnerable families across Pakistan.
The event, titled “Transition to Cashless Economy: BISP Mobile Wallets Payment Model”, convened senior government officials, financial regulators, telecom leaders, and development partners to discuss the transformative potential of Social Protection Wallets—digital tools designed to provide secure, efficient, and dignified cash transfers directly to women beneficiaries.
The workshop was attended by Minister of State for Finance and Head of the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit, Bilal Azhar Kayani, BISP Chairperson Senator Rubina Khalid, and BISP Secretary Aamer Ali Ahmad, among others.
“This is not just a policy intervention—it’s a national priority,” said Kayani. “BISP currently supports nearly 10 million low-income families. Moving to digital payments enhances transparency and dignity while aligning with the Prime Minister’s vision for a cashless economy.”
Bilal Azhar Kayani cited the recent rollout of the PM’s Ramzan Package—executed via mobile wallets—as a successful case study for scaling digital disbursements nationwide.
BISP Chairperson Senator Rubina Khalid reaffirmed the programme’s commitment to empowering women through financial autonomy. “At the direction of President Asif Ali Zardari, we are prioritizing transparency and dignity in how women receive support. Our pilot for direct bank account opening will begin on August 14, a milestone in digital empowerment,” she announced.
She added that BISP’s requirement for designating the female head of household with a valid CNIC has become a game-changing safeguard for inclusion and women empowerment. “Every woman must have the right to choose her preferred bank and receive payments through secure biometric verification,” Senator Rubina Khalid stressed.
Secretary Amer Ali Ahmad described the initiative as “a leap toward financial inclusion,” emphasizing that these wallets represent more than payment tools. “They symbolize mobility, dignity, and economic freedom for women,” he said.
He called for collective ownership of the transition, urging all stakeholders to promote digital and financial literacy among beneficiaries. “We are ready to learn, consult, and co-create a system that leaves no one behind,” Secretary BISP Amer Ali Ahmad noted.
A panel discussion followed, featuring voices from the banking, telecom, and development sectors. Panelists shared innovations, challenges, and practical recommendations to strengthen the implementation of mobile wallets for social protection delivery.
The workshop marked a key milestone in Pakistan’s journey toward digitized social assistance, with BISP leading the charge to modernize how the state serves its most vulnerable citizens.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
