ISLAMABAD: The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) has removed more than 2.25 million fake beneficiaries from its records and suspended payments to over 800,000 others, according to details presented in the National Assembly on Friday.
The Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division informed the National Assembly during question hour that a total of 2,259,404 beneficiaries were removed from the programme between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026.
Payments to more than 800,000 additional beneficiaries were also suspended, according to the details submitted to the house.
An audit report also identified 140,488 government employees and their family members as beneficiaries of the BISP during 2019-20.
The report further revealed that more than Rs712 million had been recovered from fake and ineligible beneficiaries. Of this amount, over Rs545 million was recovered through the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), while more than Rs21 million was recovered from BISP employees.
The ministry also reported receiving 55,579 complaints during the previous fiscal year concerning unauthorised deductions from funds, embezzlement and misappropriation. It said inquiries were underway and action was being taken under the relevant laws.
BISP launches nationwide campaign to raise awareness about digital payments
Separately, BISP has cautioned citizens against fraudulent messages circulating on social media and through mobile phone numbers, warning people not to fall victim to scams involving its financial assistance programmes.
The programme has clarified that all official messages are sent exclusively from the number 8171, while messages received from other numbers should be treated as fake.
According to BISP, fraudulent messages often claim that beneficiaries’ stipends have been approved, request contact details to transfer money, or promise enrolment in the programme and the issuance of financial assistance.
The programme has emphasised that genuine messages do not promise financial assistance without the required verification and documentation. Citizens have been advised to consult BISP’s official website and social media accounts for authentic information about its programmes.