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Business Recorder
04-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
NA body voices its concern over escalating poverty rate
ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety expressed serious concern over the country's escalating poverty rate - now nearing 50 percent and highlighted persistent inefficiencies at the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) beneficiaries' point-of-sale camps where beneficiaries face undue hardship. The committee meeting presided over by Mir Ghulam Ali Talpur, was convened to evaluate and expedite the transition of social protection mechanisms towards a more transparent, technology-driven system with minimal human intervention. Talpur contextualised Pakistan's social protection framework and emphasised the original intent of the income support mechanism: to minimise human intervention in the disbursement of financial assistance, thereby, ensuring dignity and transparency. The committee noted with dissatisfaction the delay in launching the digital banking pilot project, which was initially scheduled for rollout by June. In response, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) official stated that while most technical and backend components have been completed, the remaining procedural approvals are in their final stages. The pilot is now expected to launch by the end of the current month. The initiative will integrate formal banking channels, leveraging geotagged branches and simplified account-opening procedures developed in collaboration with the BISP. The SBP conveyed its assurance that the project—developed over the past year—would be operational within a week, with the first beneficiary accounts to be opened by 15 August 2025. Initially, the pilot will be implemented in seven districts and one additional district of Muzaffargarh, followed by a six-month evaluation (two quarters) to assess outcomes before scaling it nationwide. To improve access and efficiency, SBP plans to expand ATM networks, implement a staggered distribution mechanism to reduce congestion, and gradually introduce digital wallets. Biometric verification will serve as the primary method of authentication, with debit cards issued only where fingerprints are unreadable. The banking industry is now fully onboard, and API integration testing is nearing completion. Two-factor authentication mechanisms are also under consideration to further secure payments. The committee members expressed concern regarding the treatment of beneficiaries at bank branches and campsites. The Acting Governor SBP reiterated its commitment to safeguarding customer dignity and ensuring access to full banking services, including interoperability and secure fund transfers. The committee discussions also underscored the need to integrate cellular networks mobile repository data through the Pakistan Telecommunication Author-ity (PTA) to enhance biometric reliability and reach. On the institutional front, BISP reported that out of 3,486 sanctioned posts; only 2,347 are currently filled, with only 1,858 positions currently held by BISP regular staff. The committee was informed that excessive reliance on deputation staff compromises institutional continuity and drives up operational costs. The Finance Division clarified that recruitment policy falls under the Cabinet and Establishment Division's purview. As Pakistan remains under an International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, hiring decisions must comply with fiscal and administrative frameworks. The committee urged BISP to engage with the Establishment Division and Finance Ministry to address the staffing shortfall. It was mutually agreed that a coordinated approach is required to ensure timely resolution. Additionally, BISP will relocate offices to underserved tehsils such as Munda and Balambat to improve accessibility. The meeting concluded with a consensus to expedite the pilot rollout, while maintaining strict oversight to uphold transparency, protect beneficiary rights, and integrate vulnerable populations into formal banking systems. The committee was attended by the following Members of the National Assembly: Mir Ghulam Ali Talpur, Ahmad AteeqAnwer, Aasia Ishaque Siddiqui, Mahtab Akbar Rashdi, Muhammad Bashir Khan, Jamshaid Ahmad, Misbahuddin, Shahid Usman, Nawabzada Iftikhar Ahmed Khan Babar, Shafqat Abbas, Mohammad Ilyas Choudhary, Mir Khan Muhammad Jamali and whereas, Aniqa Mehdi attended the meeting virtually. The federal secretary of Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, and senior officers of the Ministry Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Finance, Planning Development and Special Initiatives and representatives from its allied departments, including BISP, PPAF and TVO were also in attendance. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
03-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Digital banking pilot project delayed
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety has called for urgent reforms to ensure Pakistan's social protection system transitions to a fully transparent, technology-driven model with minimal human intervention. Chairing the 10th session of the Committee at Parliament House, Mir Ghulam Ali Talpur emphasised the original intent behind income support mechanismsreducing human interference to uphold dignity and ensure efficient, transparent disbursement of financial aid. He raised alarm over the country's rising poverty rate, now approaching 50 percent, and expressed dissatisfaction with persistent hardships faced by Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) beneficiaries at point-of-sale camps. The committee voiced concern over delays in launching the much-anticipated digital banking pilot project, initially slated for June. In response, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) assured that most backend systems are ready and procedural approvals are nearing completion. The pilot is now expected to launch by the end of July, with beneficiary accounts opening by August 15. Initially covering seven districts and Muzzafargarh, the pilot will integrate geotagged banking services, simplified account opening, and biometric verification. Debit cards will be issued only in cases where fingerprint authentication fails. The rollout will be followed by a six-month evaluation before a nationwide scale-up. To reduce congestion and enhance accessibility, SBP plans to expand ATM networks, introduce staggered payment distribution, and roll out digital wallets. API integration testing and two-factor authentication mechanisms are also in final stages. The committee members expressed concern over treatment of beneficiaries at banks and campsite branches. The Acting Governor SBP reiterated the banking sector's commitment to maintaining dignity, security, and full service access for all beneficiaries. The Committee also urged PTA integration of mobile data repositories to improve biometric reliability in remote areas. On the institutional front, BISP revealed that of the 3,486 sanctioned posts, only 2,347 are filled, with 1,858 regular staff. The Committee noted that heavy reliance on deputation staff undermines institutional sustainability and raises costs. The Finance Division clarified that recruitment falls under the Cabinet and Establishment Division, and must comply with IMF-imposed fiscal restrictions. The committee urged BISP to work closely with the relevant ministries to address the staffing shortfall and approved relocation of BISP offices to underserved tehsils like Munda and Balambat to improve outreach. The meeting concluded with a consensus to fast-track the digital pilot rollout while ensuring robust oversight, transparency, and protection of beneficiary rights. Those attended the meeting were MNAs Mir Ghulam Ali Talpur, Ahmad Ateeq Anwer, Aasia Ishaque Siddiqui, Mahtab Akbar Rashdi, Muhammad Bashir Khan, Jamshaid Ahmad, Misbah Uddin, Shahid Usman, Nawabzada Iftikhar Ahmed Khan Babar, Shafqat Abbas, Mohammad Ilyas Choudhary, Mir Khan Muhammad Jamali, and Aniqa Mehdi (virtually).
Business Recorder
28-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
NA panel identifies absence of deadlines as critical obstacle to project execution
ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Poverty Alleviation identified the absence of defined timelines in the sub committee's report as a critical obstacle to project execution. To address this, the committee resolved to summon the governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and private bank presidents in the next session to establish clear deadlines. The committee met with Mir Ghulam Ali Talpur in the chair at the Parliament house on Tuesday. The committee reviewed the progress on poverty alleviation initiatives, assess project implementation timelines, and address institutional challenges hindering effective service delivery. The delays in a pilot project were attributed to system integration issues, with completion expected by July. The upcoming meeting, scheduled after the budget session, will also include the finance secretary and the secretary of industries for further deliberations. On social welfare initiatives, the committee reviewed the Prime Minister's Ramazan Relief Package, under which, 2.7 million out of 3.5 million eligible families received financial assistance via digital wallets and CNIC-based biometric verification. The State Bank's regulatory framework was credited for facilitating secure disbursements. However, the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP)'s staffing shortages due to the federal government hiring freeze were flagged as a major operational hurdle, with over 1,100 vacancies remaining unfilled. The Ministry of Finance was urged to expedite resolutions to prevent service disruptions. Regarding foreign-funded programmes, the Poverty Alleviation Ministry confirmed that no active USAID linked projects but was directed by the committee to submit a full report on all externally financed initiatives, including participating organisations. The committee also emphasised the need for a national poverty reduction framework, integrating federal, provincial, and NGO efforts while ensuring compliance with national security priorities. With 18,000 NGOs currently working in the country, but fewer than 1,000 registered, the committee called for stricter oversight to prevent misuse of funds and safeguarding of national interests. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
