BISP to launch biometric payment system in Pakistan province

Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) is launching a biometric-based payment system for the upcoming BISP cash grant tranche in Sindh, Pakistan, according to a report by ARY News.

Launched to coincide with this month’s BISP cash grant tranche in the Mirpur Khas division, the system is designed to boost the efficiency of providing financial assistance to beneficiaries, said Naeem Anwar, director general at BISP Sindh.

“Diverting the payment system to biometrics will eradicate the role of middleman,” said Anwar. “Many BISP beneficiaries were illiterate and were unable to operate ATMs, so some people were robbing them of their money by charging a fee from beneficiaries for this simple task.”

The beneficiaries would be able to withdraw the amount by using their Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) and biometrics at Omni or Easy Paisa stores.

The BISP will expand the biometric system for withdrawing the grant across the country after an initial testing phase.

By introducing the biometric verification system (BVS), the BISP management hopes to streamline the process of delivering funds to the eligible beneficiaries for a completely transparent program that reduces the chance of corruption or illegal withdrawal of cash.

Launched in July 2008, the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) is designed to alleviate the negative effects of slow economic growth, the food crisis, and inflation on lower income families (particularly women), through a monthly grant of Rs. 1,000 (US$15.04) to eligible families.

Article Topics

biometric authentication  |  biometrics  |  identity verification  |  Pakistan