Every rupee transferred through BISP generates Rs2.34 in household income, study finds

Every rupee transferred to vulnerable households through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) generates Rs2.34 in real income, according to an economic analysis presented at a policy dialogue in Islamabad.

The findings, based on Local Economy-Wide Impact Evaluation and Computable General Equilibrium modelling, showed that BISP-supported social protection programmes reach more than 10.2 million households, representing about 24% of families in Pakistan.

The programme generates an estimated Rs1.67 trillion in annual income and Rs1.21 trillion in additional production while supporting around 1.66 million full-time-equivalent jobs.

Around 68% of the income generated reaches the poorest 40% of households.

The analysis also found that nearly 24% of programme expenditure is recovered through economic activity that generates approximately Rs174 billion in annual tax revenue.

The policy dialogue was jointly organised by BISP and the World Bank, with support from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Federal and provincial government representatives, development partners and officials from the International Monetary Fund attended the event.

Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Syed Imran Ahmad Shah said social protection had become a central component of Pakistan’s economic policy. He said the government was linking social assistance with skills development programmes to expand employment opportunities under the prime minister’s policy framework.

BISP Chairperson Senator Rubina Khalid said the programme had expanded beyond cash assistance to include education, healthcare, skills development and economic empowerment. She highlighted BISP’s initiatives for maternal and child health, school participation and vocational training, including the Benazir Hunarmand Programme.