A subcommittee of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has revealed that over the past two years, Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) disbursed Rs15 million to deceased beneficiaries, including 842 in 2021-22 and 34 in 2022-23. The subcommittee was informed that the recovery efforts were underway.
According to a news report, the review of Poverty Alleviation Division audit reports for 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23 highlighted financial irregularities totalling Rs96 billion. Accounts of 297,000 beneficiaries remained inactive for up to six months, leaving over Rs7 billion idle in banks, while banks faced no penalties for failing to de-credit these funds.
During 2021-22, Rs800 million under the Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme was also issued to ineligible recipients. Additionally, 6,709 individuals with PMT scores above the eligibility threshold received payments.
The audit further noted that spouses of government officers from grade 19 to 22 received BISP assistance. FIA officials reported 878 FIRs registered and 272 government employees arrested, prompting the PAC to recommend criminal proceedings and fund recovery from salaries.
The subcommittee stressed the need to consider ground realities, citing difficulties faced by elderly women in withdrawing payments, and urged reforms to improve disbursement efficiency.
