In a move that signals a major advancement in Pakistan’s social protection and financial inclusion agenda, the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) is set to launch the pilot phase of its new Sahulat Account payment system on August 13. The initiative introduces a digital and beneficiary-centric payment model, enabling recipients to receive welfare payments directly into bank accounts of their own choosing.
Initially being rolled out in seven major districts, this new mechanism replaces the traditional cash-based disbursement model with a more secure, transparent, and empowering approach. It reflects BISP’s broader commitment to transitioning to a digitally enabled ecosystem that upholds the dignity and autonomy of its beneficiaries, particularly women in underserved communities.
Chairperson of BISP, Senator Rubina Khalid, announced the launch during a meeting with a joint delegation from the World Bank and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The delegation is currently visiting Pakistan on a five-day Implementation Support Mission under the Crisis-Resilient Social Protection (CRISP) initiative.
Senator Rubina Khalid highlighted that the Sahulat Account initiative follows the successful deployment of BISP’s Digital Wallet Payment Model. The new system, she noted, represents a further step in expanding payment choices and enhancing digital access for beneficiaries. “For the first time, we are taking a practical step towards providing beneficiaries with the freedom to choose their preferred bank for receiving payments,” she stated.
The international delegation included senior technical experts such as Amjad Zafar Khan, Senior Social Protection Specialist at the World Bank, and Heidi Carrubba, Humanitarian and Resilience Advisor from the FCDO. Other members from the World Bank and FCDO engaged with BISP leadership to review ongoing reforms and offer strategic support.
Secretary BISP, Amer Ali Ahmad, reiterated the organization’s commitment to refining its payment ecosystem. He informed the delegation that multiple payment models are being piloted across various cities to assess their feasibility and impact, with a goal to optimize service delivery for beneficiaries. He also emphasized ongoing negotiations with Pakistan Post to potentially leverage its e-payment infrastructure for wider coverage.
The visiting team expressed appreciation for the progress made by BISP, especially in meeting key Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs) and implementing digital reforms. They also reviewed enhancements in the National Socio-Economic Registry (NSER) and the application of improved methodologies for household data verification.
The Sahulat Account initiative marks a crucial shift in Pakistan’s social welfare landscape, aligning it with global best practices in digital financial services. It underscores the importance of giving beneficiaries control over their financial choices while ensuring transparency and accountability in disbursements.
This development also reflects continued international support for Pakistan’s vision of building a resilient, inclusive, and technology-enabled social protection system. By allowing direct payments through beneficiaries’ bank accounts, BISP is not only improving efficiency but also reinforcing trust and dignity among the country’s most vulnerable populations.
As the system goes live on August 13, the success of the pilot phase will pave the way for wider national implementation, representing a milestone in the evolution of digital microfinance and public service delivery in Pakistan.
