The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) has introduced a major reform to its payment mechanism by launching the Social Protection Wallet system, under which financial assistance to beneficiaries will be disbursed through digital wallets instead of the previous limited-function accounts.
New Payment Mechanism from July 2026
According to the programme, all new quarterly payments from July 2026 onward will be transferred directly to beneficiaries’ Social Protection Wallets, marking a significant step toward improving transparency, security, and convenience in the disbursement of social welfare funds. BISP officials said beneficiaries whose previous accounts still contain unpaid balances will receive those payments separately under a procedure to be announced at a later stage.
Beneficiary Verification and Wallet Activation
The programme has advised all beneficiaries to first verify the status of their Social Protection Wallet. Information regarding wallet activation can be obtained through the 8171 service or by visiting the nearest Benazir Income Support Programme office. To facilitate the transition, BISP has categorized beneficiaries into three groups based on the status of their Social Protection Wallets.
Category 1: Activated Wallets
The first category includes beneficiaries whose Social Protection Wallets have already been activated. These are women who received the designated BISP SIM card before March 2026 and have successfully completed biometric verification. Their upcoming instalment will be credited directly to their Social Protection Wallet, and they will receive a confirmation message through the official 8171 service. To collect their payments, beneficiaries will only be required to visit an authorized payment centre of the designated bank with their original Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) and registered mobile number. BISP clarified that beneficiaries are not required to withdraw the amount immediately, as the funds will remain secure in their wallets. However, to keep the account active, biometric verification must be completed at least once every six months.
Category 2: SIM Received but Wallet Not Activated
The second category consists of beneficiaries who have already received the designated SIM card but whose Social Protection Wallets have not yet been activated due to incomplete biometric verification. Their instalments will also be transferred to their wallets, but they will only be able to access the funds after completing biometric verification at an authorized payment centre using their original CNIC. Once the verification process is completed, the Social Protection Wallet will become fully operational, enabling beneficiaries to withdraw their financial assistance. According to BISP, where banking facilities permit, beneficiaries may withdraw either the full amount or only a portion of their available balance, depending on their needs.
Category 3: Wallet Created but SIM Not Received
The third category includes beneficiaries whose Social Protection Wallets have already been created but who have not yet received the designated BISP SIM card. Such beneficiaries have been instructed to first collect their SIM cards from the relevant BISP office. They are then advised to wait approximately one week to allow the SIM verification process and its linkage with the Social Protection Wallet to be completed. After receiving a confirmation message from 8171, beneficiaries should visit the authorized payment centre of the designated bank to complete biometric verification. Once verified, their Social Protection Wallet will be activated, enabling them to receive and access their financial assistance.
Process Timeline and Official Guidance
According to BISP, following the issuance of the designated SIM card, its details are verified in phases through the relevant institutions before being forwarded to the partner bank, where the SIM is linked to the beneficiary’s Social Protection Wallet. The entire process may take around one week to complete. The programme has urged beneficiaries to avoid relying on unverified information circulating through unofficial sources. It advised them to trust only official messages received from 8171 and to contact their nearest Benazir Income Support Programme office for further guidance or assistance regarding the new payment mechanism.
Expected Benefits of the Wallet System
The introduction of the Social Protection Wallet system is expected to improve efficiency, reduce payment delays, strengthen transparency, and provide beneficiaries with greater flexibility and security in accessing their financial assistance under the government’s flagship social protection programme.
