BISP Budget Increase to Rs716 Billion for 2025-26
The proposed increase in the BISP budget is a significant step towards supporting low-income households and promoting economic stability, and the program's focus on education, health, and nutrition initiatives will have a positive impact on the overall well-being of beneficiaries.
The Finance Ministry has proposed a 20% increase in the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) budget for 2025-26, from Rs592.48 billion to Rs716 billion, to support 10 million low-income households across Pakistan, with a focus on enhancing education, health, and nutrition initiatives.
The hike aims to raise quarterly cash transfers from Rs13,500 to Rs14,500, aligning with inflation projections and the government's commitment to the IMF. BISP will also work with provincial governments to avoid duplication and strengthen coordination, and plans are underway to digitize BISP payments, with pilot projects launching in select districts by early FY26.
The program has already disbursed Rs347 billion from July 2024 to February 2025, an 82.6% increase from the same period last year, demonstrating its effectiveness in supporting low-income households. The increased allocation will allow for an increase in Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) Kafaalat program benefits to adjust for anticipated annual inflation.
The BISP is working closely with the World Bank to refine its administrative systems and enhance education and health and nutrition conditional cash transfer programs, ensuring that the increased allocation is utilized efficiently to support the most vulnerable segments of society.