The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) is one of the most transformative social protection initiatives in Pakistan’s history. It has not only reduced poverty but also reshaped the social and political landscape by empowering millions of women and marginalized families.

Rooted in the vision of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, who firmly believed that no nation can prosper without empowering its women, BISP today stands as a living tribute to her struggle for equality and justice. President Asif Ali Zardari launched the programme in July 2008 to honour her legacy, and what began as a modest cash transfer has since grown into the largest social safety net in the country.

For FY2025–26, the government has allocated a record Rs716 billion to BISP. Out of this, Rs561 billion has been reserved for the Benazir Kafaalat Programme, providing quarterly stipends of Rs13,500 to nearly 10 million deserving women. The Benazir Taleemi Wazaif initiative supports the education of more than 10 million children with Rs81 billion in funding, offering higher stipends to girls to reduce gender disparity in classrooms. The Benazir Nashonuma Programme has received Rs52 billion to support 2.9 million pregnant and lactating women, as well as children under two years of age, addressing malnutrition and stunting.

Together, these initiatives not only offer financial relief but also represent a long-term investment in Pakistan’s human capital. What makes BISP truly revolutionary is its design. From day one, women were recognised as the heads of households for enrollment purposes. To qualify, they needed a Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC). For millions of poor women, many from the most neglected communities, this was the first time they were formally registered in the national system. The impact was profound: women who had been invisible in official records now had legal identity and access to entitlements. With CNICs, millions of women also became eligible to vote, bringing them into the democratic process.

Thus, BISP was never just about financial aid; it ignited a social and political awakening that reshaped the role of women in Pakistani society. Critics have often accused BISP of fostering dependency. Yet multiple impact studies of BISP and similar cash transfer programmes worldwide prove otherwise. Beneficiaries do not stop working after receiving stipends; instead, they invest in food security, healthcare and their children’s education. Far from dependency, BISP has enabled families to withstand economic shocks while building a foundation for the next generation’s progress.

Islam has long emphasized the protection of the poor and vulnerable. The Quran repeatedly calls for supporting widows, orphans and the underprivileged. During the caliphate of Hazrat Umar (ra), the institution of Bait-ul-Mal ensured that no citizen was left unattended. In this sense, BISP is a modern reflection of Islamic welfare principles a state-led effort to guarantee dignity, inclusion and justice for society’s weakest segments.

Beyond routine assistance, BISP’s vast database has proven vital during emergencies. In natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes, this database allows authorities to quickly identify vulnerable households and deliver targeted relief. This capacity for rapid response has made BISP an indispensable tool not just for social protection but also for humanitarian relief.

In recent years, BISP has shifted from cash transfers alone to strategies for poverty graduation. Recognising that sustainable empowerment requires more than financial aid, skill development has now become a permanent feature of the institution. On June 21, 2025, President Asif Ali Zardari inaugurated the Benazir Hunarmand Programme on the birthday of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto. This skill development initiative provides technical and vocational training for BISP beneficiaries and their families. By equipping women and youth with employable skills, it enables them to secure livelihoods, contribute to national productivity and even explore opportunities abroad. This represents a forward-looking vision, directly linking social protection with human development and national progress.

The operational expenditures of BISP are impressively low below one per cent, ensuring that the maximum resources reach beneficiaries directly. Its enrollment process has been widely praised for being impartial, guaranteeing that the poor and needy are included without any discrimination on the basis of political affiliation, region, caste or creed. Owing to this credibility, all major international financial institutions including the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, IMF, World Food Programme, Unicef and the World Health Organization have recognised BISP’s importance, transparency and neutrality. As a result, many developing countries now aspire to learn from BISP’s design and implementation, treating it as a model for effective social protection systems.

Despite its achievements, BISP has faced political controversy, especially over its name. Repeated attempts have been made to remove Benazir Bhutto’s name, reflecting political unease more than substantive concerns. Yet its continuity across successive governments underscores one fact: BISP is indispensable. The name itself is meaningful and not merely symbolic – a reminder of the vision of a leader who championed women’s empowerment and social justice.

At a time of rising inflation and unemployment, Pakistan cannot afford to weaken its most effective social protection programme. BISP must be seen not as a political project, but as a national commitment to justice, dignity, and inclusive growth. The Benazir Income Support Programme has transformed millions of lives, giving stability to families, identity to women and hope to the poor. It is not only a financial safety net but a vehicle of empowerment, embodying both the principles of Islamic welfare and modern social protection. In every sense, it is the living legacy of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and a cornerstone of Pakistan’s fight against poverty.