Financial irregularities amounting to Rs141 billion have been identified in the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) for the fiscal year 2023-24, according to an audit report. The report highlights unverified payments, improper stipend distributions, and unauthorised cash withdrawals.
According to reports, the audit found that more than three million out of 9.3 million BISP beneficiaries lacked a registered family CNIC. Despite this, payments exceeding Rs116.95 billion were made without proper verification, raising concerns that funds may have gone to government employees, businesspersons, or other ineligible individuals.
The report also flagged Rs4 billion in payments made to individuals listed in the Active Taxpayers List.Â
Additionally, Rs138 million was disbursed to 5.43 million students without verifying their attendance records. Another Rs154 million was paid to 57,833 students who failed to meet the required 70% attendance threshold, while unauthorised students received over Rs10 million in stipends.
Cash grants totaling Rs454.7 million were withdrawn from unrelated districts, while Rs11.5 million was unlawfully taken from beneficiaries’ accounts.
Unpaid disbursements of Rs5.46 million remain outstanding to some beneficiaries. The audit further found an unauthorised payment of $7.72 million for a household survey and Rs63.7 million improperly allocated as deputation allowances to ineligible employees.
Overpayments of Rs55 million were reported under the Nashonuma Programme. The audit also pointed to Rs40 million lost due to misappropriation, a Rs30 million shortfall in income tax deductions, and Rs6 million in BISP funds distributed to families of government employees.
Irregularities were also found in educational stipend programmes, with Rs2.8 million already disbursed to unauthorised student enrollments. The report calls for corrective action to address the financial discrepancies.
