The Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) is a social safety net program in Pakistan aimed at providing financial assistance to vulnerable and economically disadvantaged individuals and families. The program was launched in 2008 with the goal of reducing poverty and promoting economic empowerment among marginalized segments of the population. The program is named after Benazir Bhutto, a former Prime Minister of Pakistan.
Key features of the Benazir Income Support Program include:
Cash Transfers: Benazir Income Support Program provides direct cash transfers to eligible families, particularly women, to help them meet their basic needs and improve their living standards. The cash transfers are intended to enhance the purchasing power of beneficiaries and enable them to afford essential items such as food, education, and healthcare.
Targeting Mechanism: BISP uses a poverty targeting mechanism to identify eligible households. The targeting process involves the use of a National Socioeconomic Registry, which assesses the economic status of households based on various indicators such as income, assets, and household composition.
