BISP August 2025 – Politics and Vote Influence in Pakistan’s Welfare Program

The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) is one of Pakistan’s biggest welfare projects. Since it started in July 2008, it has been giving cash to poor families so they can buy food, get healthcare, and cover basic needs.

But BISP has also been political. For many, it’s proof the government cares about reducing poverty. For others, it’s a way for politicians to win votes by linking welfare benefits to political loyalty.

In August 2025, BISP made headlines again — not only for increasing payments to PKR 13,500 per family, but also for how it might affect future elections.

What Is Electoral Clientelism?

This is when political parties give benefits in exchange for votes. It can mean:

• Giving welfare only to their supporters.

• Opening registration drives before elections.

• Making people think their benefits will stop if they vote for someone else.

In Pakistan, where many families rely on BISP to survive, this can strongly influence voting.

How BISP Started

BISP began under the PPP government of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani in 2008, during a time of high inflation and rising unemployment.

It was named after Benazir Bhutto, which gave it an emotional connection with PPP voters. In its early days:

• MPs handed out forms.

• Political loyalty sometimes decided who got help.

• Some opposition areas were left out.

Fixing the System

Between 2009 and 2011, BISP introduced the Poverty Scorecard — a survey-based method to decide eligibility without political influence. This improved fairness and won the trust of international donors.

Women at the Center

BISP gives payments to women in the family. This:

• Gave women more control over money.

• Increased their role in family and community decisions.

• Brought them into politics — though sometimes with pressure to vote for a certain party.

Politics in Action

• Sindh village: Women were reminded before elections which party “gave” them BISP.

• Punjab city: Registration camps popped up right before voting.

Even if no direct threats were made, people felt they should vote a certain way.

BISP in 2025

Now BISP uses:

• Biometric verification

• CNIC-linked eligibility

• Bank, ATM, and retail payments

August 2025 updates:

• PKR 13,500 per family

• CNIC verification is required

• Payments are free — no agent fees allowed

Challenges

• Some agents still take illegal fees

• Political promises linked to BISP

• Poor families left out due to old data

• People still believe political support is required

Your Rights as a Beneficiary

• No party can legally stop your payment

• Don’t pay anyone extra — report it

• Keep your CNIC updated

• Vote for whoever you want — BISP doesn’t depend on it

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