BISP beneficiaries report agents withholding stipends

Beneficiaries of Pakistan's Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) are facing widespread illegal deductions from their stipends, with agents withholding substantial amounts and forcing recipients into long waits under harsh conditions. Koonj Jhanjhanjo, a beneficiary from Hyderabad, reported that Rs1,500 to Rs2,000 was withheld from her Rs12,500 payment. Her husband, Saghir, described an afternoon spent waiting in scorching heat to receive the remaining amount after the agent refused to disburse the full sum.

These deductions, though often smaller than Koonj's case, are a significant burden for the country's most vulnerable households. In Hyderabad alone, with approximately 44,000 beneficiaries, agents could potentially pocket an estimated Rs88 million in a single disbursement cycle if each beneficiary loses Rs2,000. Similar complaints have emerged from other districts, including Tando Allahyar and Hala Naka, where beneficiaries like Rehana Keerio and Hasina have also faced reduced payments despite protests.

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When we insisted, the operator replied arrogantly that the rest of the amount would be paid later. We objected but finally received the money (despite the massive deduction), after an agonizing wait in scorching heat.

The Benazir Kafaalat Programme, the BISP's main social protection arm, provides an unconditional quarterly stipend of Rs14,500 to each of its 10.2 million beneficiaries nationwide. Despite the program's substantial budget of over Rs722 billion and its aim to provide socioeconomic support, these alleged deductions undermine its effectiveness. BISP officials acknowledge the issue, and an FIA officer involved in crackdowns confirmed that many beneficiaries are from remote areas and struggle with these practices. In response, BISP has introduced a Social Protection Wallet system, intended to reduce dependence on agents and mitigate these illicit practices.

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Agents don’t pay the full amount despite protests by women in every disbursement.