BISP Begins Free SIM Distribution, Digital Payments Nationwide

Lahore: (News Desk) Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Senator Rubina Khalid on Thursday visited the BISP Central Zonal Office Punjab in Lahore, where she briefed media on key reforms including the launch of the Social Protection Wallet, free SIM distribution, and direct digital payments to women.

Addressing a press conference, Senator Rubina Khalid said that on the special directives of the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan, the Social Protection Wallet has been formally launched to ensure transparency and convenience in disbursement of financial assistance. She stated that BISP is currently providing financial support to 10 million deserving women across the country, while around 50 percent of the free SIM distribution process has already been completed.

She termed BISP the largest programme in Pakistan’s history aimed at women’s social protection, digital inclusion, and financial empowerment. Through the new digital wallet system, financial assistance will be transferred directly to beneficiaries, eliminating the need for repeated visits to offices or payment centres.

Read more: Delivering a Breakthrough: BISP Reversing Child Stunting

The BISP chairperson clarified that free SIMs are being issued exclusively through BISP offices and centres, and that digital wallets are activated by BISP staff themselves. She categorically stated that the SIMs are completely free of cost and warned beneficiaries not to pay any fee to anyone under any BISP scheme.
Senator Rubina Khalid urged women to protect the SIMs as they would safeguard their cash or personal wallets, noting that all future payments will be made through these digital wallets, enabling access to funds from anywhere.
Recalling the death anniversary of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, she paid tribute to the former prime minister, describing her as a symbol of courage, resilience, and struggle whose services for women’s rights and Pakistan remain unforgettable.

She also highlighted unemployment as a major national challenge and said the Benazir Hunarmand Programme has been launched to promote skills development and economic self-reliance, quoting Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s words: “Skill is your asset.”
Later, Senator Rubina Khalid visited BISP SIM distribution centres at LDA Sabzazar, GHS Ali Raza Abad, and Shalamar Bhagwan Pura, where she reviewed the distribution process. She directed staff to ensure complete guidance for deserving women and personally briefed beneficiaries on the proper use and protection of the free SIMs.