The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) is a social safety net initiative established by the government of Pakistan to provide financial assistance to low-income families. Launched in 2008, it is named after Benazir Bhutto, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan.

 

### Key Aspects of BISP Beneficiaries      

 

1. **Eligibility**: BISP primarily targets the poorest segments of society. Beneficiaries are selected based on criteria that include income level, poverty status, and other socioeconomic factors. The program uses a poverty scorecard and data from the National Socio-Economic Registry to determine eligibility.

 

2. **Financial Assistance**: Women are often the primary beneficiaries of BISP. The program provides regular cash transfers to eligible families, with a focus on women as the recipients. This approach aims to empower women and improve household welfare.

 

3. **Components of BISP**:

   - **Unconditional Cash Transfers (UCTs)**: These are regular payments made to eligible women to help them meet basic needs.

   - **Conditional Cash Transfers (CCTs)**: These require beneficiaries to fulfill certain conditions, such as sending children to school or attending health check-ups.

   - **Waseela-e-Taleem**: This component is designed to encourage school enrollment and attendance among children in beneficiary households.

   - **Waseela-e-Haq**: Provides a one-time grant to women for starting a small business or improving their existing economic activities.

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4. **Impact on Women**: The program is designed to enhance the economic stability of women in low-income households. By channeling financial support directly to women, BISP aims to increase their decision-making power within the household and contribute to their economic independence.

 

5. **Monitoring and Evaluation**: BISP has mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of its programs. This includes tracking the impact on beneficiaries' living conditions, economic status, and educational outcomes for children.

 

Overall, BISP represents a significant effort by the Pakistani government to address poverty and support women in disadvantaged communities.