Benazir Kafaalat Program: Empowering Women and Alleviating Poverty in Pakistan
The Benazir Kafaalat Program is a groundbreaking social welfare initiative by the Government of Pakistan. Designed to uplift financially vulnerable families, particularly women, this program provides much-needed financial assistance to help families meet their basic needs, improve their quality of life, and encourage educational opportunities for their children. Below, we’ll explore everything you need to know about the Benazir Kafaalat Program, from eligibility to registration and payment methods.
What is the Benazir Kafaalat Program?
Introduced under the umbrella of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), the Benazir Kafaalat initiative aims to provide quarterly financial stipends to eligible low-income families. This program is part of a larger strategy to combat poverty in Pakistan and empower women through financial inclusion. With the Benazir Kafalat Program, beneficiaries receive a direct cash stipend that they can use to manage household expenses and build a more secure future for themselves and their families.
Key Features of the Benazir Kafalat Program
- Financial Assistance for Low-Income Families: Benazir Kafalat provides quarterly payments of PKR 10,500 to eligible families. This direct financial support helps households cover essential costs and ensures that even the most financially vulnerable can meet their basic needs.
- Empowerment Through Financial Inclusion: The program emphasizes the empowerment of women by directing payments to the female heads of eligible households. This financial inclusion encourages women’s participation in economic decisions within their families and communities.
- Access to Educational Support: Under the Benazir Taleemi Wazaif initiative, children of Benazir Kafaalat beneficiaries receive educational stipends. This program encourages school attendance and reduces dropout rates, promoting long-term benefits through education.
Eligibility Criteria for the Benazir Kafaalat Program
The Benazir Kafalat program targets households that fall below the poverty line. The eligibility assessment is conducted through a socio-economic survey by BISP, which considers factors such as income, family size, and overall household economic status.
- Who Can Apply? Only women are eligible to receive payments, promoting female empowerment within beneficiary households.
- Families must demonstrate financial need based on the poverty scorecard used by BISP to determine eligibility.
How to Register for the Benazir Kafaalat Program
Eligible individuals can register for the Benazir Kafalat Program through the 8171 SMS service or by visiting the nearest BISP registration center. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to check eligibility and register:
Step 1: Using the 8171 SMS Service
Send your CNIC number to 8171 to check your eligibility status. You will receive an SMS indicating whether you qualify for the program.
Step 2: Visiting a BISP Registration Center
If eligible, visit the nearest BISP registration center with your CNIC and proof of income. Staff at the center will guide you through the registration process.
Benazir Kafalat Program Check CNIC
If you’re unsure of your eligibility, you can easily perform a Benazir Kafalat Program check CNIC by using the 8171 SMS service. Simply text your CNIC number to 8171 to verify your status. This convenient system allows applicants to check their eligibility without visiting a physical location, saving time and resources.
How Payments are Distributed
Once registered, beneficiaries of the Benazir Kafaalat Program can collect their stipends from designated payment centers or via their chosen bank accounts. Here’s an overview of the available methods:
- Bank Collection Points
- Beneficiaries can visit BISP-approved collection points at banks like HBL (Habib Bank Limited) and BAFL (Bank Alfalah) for biometric verification to receive their quarterly payment.
- Direct Bank Transfers
- BISP is progressively shifting to direct bank transfers to simplify the payment process. This transition provides beneficiaries with more control over their finances, enabling them to withdraw funds at their convenience.
How to enter in BISP Kafaalat Programme?
Step 1:- A household falls within approved cut off will be declared as “Eligible”.
Step 2:- Only an ever married female with valid CNIC and cleared from profiling in an
eligible household will be declared as beneficiary.
Step 3:- Message/SMS will sent to eligible beneficiary on provided mobile number from
8171.
Step 4:- After receiving SMS, Beneficiary will visit nearest POS in her Tehsil / District
and receive her first cash grant after biometric verification.
Step 5:- For grievance Redressal she will register her complaint in the respective BISP
Tehsil office.
BISP Offices
BISP offices in Punjab
The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) operates a comprehensive network of offices across Pakistan to facilitate the Benazir Kafaalat Program. Below is a table listing the BISP offices in Punjab, including their addresses and contact numbers:
| Tehsil | Address | Contact Number |
|---|---|---|
| Rawalpindi | House No. 1, Street No. 1, Civil Lines, Mian Zia Ul Haq Road, Rawalpindi | 051-9330672 |
| Sahiwal | 561/1-BVII Police Line Road, Sahiwal | 040-4221414 |
| Lahore | House No. 123, Block H, Gulberg III, Lahore | 042-35758671 |
| Multan | House No. 45, Street No. 2, Gulgasht Colony, Multan | 061-9200625 |
| Faisalabad | House No. 7, Street No. 1, People’s Colony No. 1, Faisalabad | 041-9220296 |
| Gujranwala | House No. 15, Street No. 3, Satellite Town, Gujranwala | 055-9201223 |
| Sargodha | House No. 10, Street No. 2, University Road, Sargodha | 048-9239221 |
| Bahawalpur | House No. 5, Street No. 4, Model Town A, Bahawalpur | 062-9255201 |
| Dera Ghazi Khan | House No. 8, Street No. 5, Block 2, Dera Ghazi Khan | 064-9260135 |
| Sialkot | House No. 9, Street No. 6, Cantt View Colony, Sialkot | 052-9250204 |
BISP offices in Sindh
The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) operates several offices across Sindh to facilitate the Benazir Kafaalat Program. Below is a list of key BISP offices in Sindh, including their addresses and contact details:
| Office | Designation | Contact Number | Address | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regional Office | Director General Sindh | 021-99333067 | House No. B-39, Block-11, Near AGPR NIPA, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi | dg.sindh@bisp.gov.pk |
| Divisional Office | Divisional Director Lyari | 021-99251512 | Plot No. ST-21, Sindh Govt. Circuit House No. 2 (Old Balochistan House), Clifton Block-II, Near Dr. Ziauddin Hospital, Karachi | divdir.lyr@bisp.gov.pk |
| Divisional Office | Divisional Director Karachi | 021-34961010-12 | House No. D-8, Gulnab Housing Society, Behind Samama Shopping Center, Gulistan-e-Johar, Karachi | divdir.khi@bisp.gov.pk |
| Divisional Office | Divisional Director Hyderabad | 022-2117113 | Bungalow No. A-23, Behind Bahria College, Gulistan-e-Sajjad, Hyderabad | divdir.hyd@bisp.gov.pk |
| Divisional Office | Divisional Director Mirpur Khas | 0233-9290394 | House No. B-59, Deh 108 Ali Town, Main Hyderabad Road, Mirpurkhas | divdir.mks@bisp.gov.pk |
| Divisional Office | Divisional Director Sukkur | 071-9310033 | Bungalow No. 64, Yousef Masjid, Near Punjab College, Shikarpur Road, Sukkur | divdir.skr@bisp.gov.pk |
| Divisional Office | Divisional Director Larkana | 074-9410750 | House No. A-49, Sheikh Zaid Colony, Near Shaikh Zaid Hospital, Larkana | divdir.lrk@bisp.gov.pk |
BISP Offices in Baluchistan
The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) has established several offices across Balochistan to facilitate the Benazir Kafaalat Program. Below is a list of key BISP offices in Balochistan, including their addresses and contact details:
| Office | Designation | Contact Number | Address | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regional Office | Acting Director General | 081-2870156/7 | House No. 450/175 B, Haji Sardar Muhammad Tahir Street, Jinnah Town, Quetta | dg.baluchistan@bisp.gov.pk |
| Divisional Office | Divisional Director Quetta | 081-2444433 | Arbab Karam Khan Road, Opposite Killi Sheikhan School, Quetta | divdir.qta@bisp.gov.pk |
| Divisional Office | Divisional Director Rakshan | 0847-510822 | Secretariat Road, Near DC Office, District Kharan | divdir.rkn@bisp.gov.pk |
| Divisional Office | Divisional Director Kalat | 0853-610264 | Near Afzal Petroleum, Awandan Road, Aslam Colony, Tehsil Uthal, District Lasbela | divdir.kzd@bisp.gov.pk |
| Divisional Office | Divisional Director Makran | 0852-414064 | Commissioner Road, Near Park Hotel, District Kech | divdir.mkn@bisp.gov.pk |
| Divisional Office | Divisional Director Sibi | 0833-500195/6 | Silachi Marhi, Sohbat Sarai Road, District Sibi | divdir.sbi@bisp.gov.pk |
| Divisional Office | Divisional Director Naseerabad | 0838-710085 | Near Civil Hospital, Ward No. 4, Dera Murad Jamali, District Naseerabad | divdir.nsd@bisp.gov.pk |
| Divisional Office | Divisional Director Zhob | 0824-411066 | House No. 1993, Garden Town, Levies Line, District Loralai | divdir.zhb@bisp.gov.pk |
BISP Offices in KPK
The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) has established several offices across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) to facilitate the Benazir Kafaalat Program. Below is a list of key BISP offices in KPK, including their addresses and contact details:
| Office | Designation | Contact Number | Address | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regional Office | Director General KPK/FATA | 091-9331791 | House No. D-12, Sector D-1, Phase-1, Opposite Tatara Park, Hayatabad, Peshawar | dg.kp@bisp.gov.pk |
| Divisional Office | Divisional Director Peshawar | 091-9331649 | House No. 6, Rehman Lane, Opposite NADRA Mega Center, Tehkal Payan, Jamrud Road, Peshawar | divdir.psh@bisp.gov.pk |
| Divisional Office | Divisional Director Bannu | 0928-633204 | House No. 282/A, Phase 1, Bannu Township | divdir.bu@bisp.gov.pk |
| Divisional Office | Divisional Director Malakand | 0932-411028 | Opposite GPO, Markaz Abad, Batkhela, District Malakand | divdir.mkd@bisp.gov.pk |
| Divisional Office | Divisional Director Kohat | 0922-513113 | House No. 93, Phase-2B2, Near Masjid Muhammadia, KDA, Kohat | divdir.kt@bisp.gov.pk |
| Divisional Office | Divisional Director Hazara | 0992-341260 | House No. 57, Street No. 17, PMA Kakul Road, Shahzaman Colony, Abbottabad | divdir.abt@bisp.gov.pk |
| Divisional Office | Divisional Director D.I. Khan | 0966-732634 | Kokab Colony, Opposite Kanz College, West Circular Road, D.I. Khan | divdir.dikhan@bisp.gov.pk |
| Divisional Office | Divisional Director Mardan | 0937-840075 | Opposite GPO, Markaz Abad, Batkhela, District Malakand | divdir.mkd@bisp.gov.pk |
Recent Updates on the Benazir Kafaalat Program
The government has recently approved an increase in the quarterly stipend, bringing it to PKR 13,500 in response to rising costs of living. Additionally, the program aims to include 700,000 more families, expanding its reach and impact.
Digital Payment Enhancements:
- The transition to digital banking options empowers beneficiaries by giving them access to debit cards and cheque books, making transactions more secure and accessible.
No Record of Provided CNIC
1- In case there is no record on 8171 portal, any adult member of the household may visit nearest Benazir registration desk, established at BISP Tehsil Office, for household survey.
1. How do I know if I am eligible for the Benazir Kafalat Program?
- Send your CNIC number to 8171 or visit a BISP registration center to check your eligibility.
2. When will the next payments be released?
- Payments are generally made quarterly, with the upcoming cycle expected to begin soon. Beneficiaries will be notified through SMS.
3. Can I apply on behalf of another family member?
- Only female heads of households are eligible to apply. However, in cases where the female head is unavailable, special arrangements can be made at BISP offices.
4. What should I do if I encounter issues with payment collection?
- Contact the BISP helpline at 0800-26477 for assistance with payment-related issues.
Conclusion: The Lasting Impact of the Benazir Kafaalat Program
The Benazir Kafalat Program is a lifeline for millions of low-income families across Pakistan. By providing financial assistance, promoting education, and encouraging economic stability, the program plays an essential role in breaking the cycle of poverty. With continued support from the government and an ongoing focus on expanding its reach, Benazir Kafaalat stands as a vital initiative for a more equitable and empowered Pakistan.