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 to the National Assembly on Friday.
The Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division told lawmakers during a question hour that 2,259,404 beneficiaries were struck off the programme between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026. Details submitted to the house also showed that payments to more than 800,000 additional recipients had been halted.
Audit findings and recoveries from ineligible beneficiaries
An audit report flagged 140,488 government employees and their family members as having received BISP support during 2019-20. The report also showed that more than Rs712 million had been recovered from fake and ineligible beneficiaries.
Of that sum, over Rs545 million came through the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), while more than Rs21 million was retrieved from BISP employees.
Complaints over deductions, embezzlement and misappropriation
The ministry also reported 55,579 complaints in the previous fiscal year concerning unauthorised deductions from funds, embezzlement and misappropriation. It said inquiries are ongoing and that action is being taken under the relevant laws.
BISP warns citizens about fraudulent messages
Separately, BISP cautioned the public against fake messages circulating on social media and through mobile phone numbers that target its financial assistance schemes. The programme said official messages are sent only from the number 8171, and anything arriving from other numbers should be treated as fraudulent.
According to the programme, scam messages often claim that a stipend has been approved, ask for contact details so money can be transferred, or promise enrolment and assistance. BISP said genuine messages never promise aid without proper verification and documentation, and urged citizens to check its official website and social media accounts.
