BISP Digital Payments via RAAST
The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) is entering a new digital phase to facilitate payments to be simpler, quicker, and more secure for more than 10 million beneficiaries. BISP Chairperson Senator Rubina Khalid and Sharjeel Murtaza, Karandaaz Chief Digital Officer, discussed the speeding up of the introduction of a pilot digital payment system through RAAST across seven regions of Pakistan in a recent high-level meeting.
What Is RAAST and Why Is BISP Implementing It?
RAAST is Pakistan’s real-time digital payment system launched by the State Bank of Pakistan to enable speedy, low-cost, and secure fund transfers. By implementing RAAST in BISP, the government wants to:
- Ensure quicker payments
- Minimize dependency on physical cash handling
- Enhance transparency and traceability
- Empower women through safe and private access to funds
Key Meeting Highlights
At the meeting, BISP Chairperson Rubina Khalid had a number of key observations:
- Biometric verification and mobility of beneficiaries are a must and non-negotiable
- BISP wants to make the life of its 10 million beneficiaries easy
- Topics involved applying mobile wallets in low-workload areas on a pilot basis
- Director General CT, Mr. Inam ur Rehman Malik, also joined the session
Pilot Launch Regions
The pilot of digital payment through RAAST will start in seven regions chosen across Pakistan. The regions will be selected on the basis of:
- Lower operational workload
- Improved infrastructure for mobile wallets
- High digital literacy of the local employees
- This gradual rollout enables BISP to pilot and refine the system prior to ramping up countrywide
Advantages of Digital Payments through RAAST
Employing RAAST and mobile wallets will provide the following benefits:
- 24/7 access to payment funds
- Less waiting time at payment centers
- No involvement of physical agents, thus less fraud
- Financial inclusion, particularly for rural women
- Improved recordkeeping and less corruption
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Conclusion
BISP’s initiative for digital transformation with RAAST represents a new chapter in social welfare delivery in Pakistan. By cutting down on the use of physical agents and introducing secure, biometric-verified digital payments, BISP is not only making delivery more efficient but also financial inclusion—particularly for rural women.
As the pilot rolls out across seven regions, millions of families may soon be able to access quicker, more secure, and more respectful financial assistance directly from their phones.