Women aged over 35 who remain unmarried will be included in the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), officials informed a parliamentary committee during a meeting on Tuesday. The issue was discussed at a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) sub-committee, where concerns were raised regarding the exclusion of unmarried women from the country's largest social welfare initiative.
Committee Members Highlight Vulnerable Groups
Committee member Bilal Mandokhail highlighted that many unmarried women, particularly those without family support, belong to vulnerable segments of society and should be considered for financial assistance under the programme. In response, BISP officials told the committee that efforts were underway to incorporate unmarried women above the age of 35 into the programme's eligibility criteria.
Expanding Social Protection Coverage
The proposed move is aimed at expanding social protection coverage for women who lack stable income sources or adequate support systems. BISP remains Pakistan's flagship social safety net programme, providing financial assistance to low-income households nationwide. Officials said details regarding implementation, registration procedures and final eligibility requirements would be announced at a later stage.
This development comes as part of broader efforts to strengthen the social safety net in Pakistan, ensuring that vulnerable populations, including unmarried women, receive necessary financial support. The inclusion of unmarried women over 35 is expected to significantly impact their livelihoods, offering a lifeline to those who may have been overlooked previously.
