Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Welcome to the Pakistan Schemes FAQ page. Our goal is to provide clear and direct answers to all your questions. Please browse through the categories below to find the information you need.

1. General Questions & About Our Website

1. What is Pakistan Schemes? Pakistan Schemes (pakistanschemes.info) is an independent, non-governmental informational website. Our mission is to make information about Pakistani government financial aid schemes easy to find, understand, and act upon for all citizens.

2. Is this an official government website? No. We are not affiliated with the Government of Pakistan or any official body. We are an independent resource that gathers and simplifies information from official sources. We always provide links to official government websites for applications and verification.

3. How is this site different from official government sites? Official sites are used for registration and managing applications. Our site is designed to explain the schemes in simple Urdu and English, provide step-by-step guides, compare different programs, and offer tips on how to avoid common problems. We bring all the information into one easy-to-use place.

4. Is the information on this website accurate? We strive for accuracy by sourcing our information directly from official government websites and announcements. However, schemes can change. We strongly recommend you always verify critical details like deadlines and eligibility on the official scheme website, which we link to.

5. How often is the information updated? We update our content as soon as new official announcements are made regarding payment dates, eligibility changes, or new programs. We aim to provide the most current information available.

6. Is it free to use this website? Yes. Access to all information on pakistanschemes.info is 100% free. We will never ask you for money.

7. Can I apply for a scheme directly through your website? No. We are an informational resource only. The actual application must be submitted through official government channels, such as their web portals or designated registration centers.

8. Do you have a mobile app? Currently, we do not have a mobile app. Our website is fully mobile-friendly and can be accessed from any browser on your smartphone.

9. Who runs this website? We are a team of individuals passionate about making information accessible to empower Pakistani citizens. We operate independently.

10. How can I contact the team at pakistanschemes.info? You can reach out to us through the “Contact Us” page on our website for any suggestions or questions about the site itself. Please note we cannot answer questions about your personal application status.

2. Eligibility & Registration

11. How do I know if I’m eligible for any scheme? Eligibility is determined by a poverty score (PMT score) from the NSER survey and specific criteria for each program (e.g., income level, family size, widow/disability status). We detail these criteria on each scheme’s page.

12. What is the NSER survey and why is it important? The National Socio-Economic Registry (NSER) is a government survey that collects data from households to determine their poverty level. Your registration in this survey is essential for being considered for programs like BISP.

13. My NSER survey is old. How can I update it? You can update your survey information by visiting the nearest BISP/NSER registration center. It’s important to do this if your family or financial situation has changed.

14. I was disqualified. Can I re-apply? Yes. If your circumstances have changed and you now meet the eligibility criteria, you can visit a registration center to update your NSER survey and be reconsidered.

15. What is a poverty score (PMT score)? The Proxy Means Test (PMT) score is a number assigned to your household based on the NSER survey that indicates your economic status. Most schemes have a maximum PMT score for eligibility (e.g., you must have a PMT score below 32 to qualify for BISP).

16. Can a government employee or their family apply? Generally, no. Government employees, their spouses, and those receiving a pension are usually ineligible for poverty alleviation schemes.

17. Can I apply if I own a vehicle or have a passport? Owning a car or motorcycle, or having a passport and traveling abroad, can sometimes make you ineligible, as it suggests a higher income level.

18. Do I need a bank account to apply? For most cash grant programs like BISP, you do not need a bank account initially. Payments are made through partner banks’ agents. However, for loan schemes, a bank account is usually required.

19. Where are the registration centers located? Registration centers are typically located at BISP Tehsil offices across all districts of Pakistan.

20. Can I register online? While some initial checks can be done online (like via the 8171 web portal), the full NSER survey registration must be done in person at a designated center.

21. What is a B-Form and why is it needed for my children? A B-Form (Child Registration Certificate) from NADRA is the official registration document for a child. It is required to enroll your children in educational stipend programs like the Benazir Taleemi Wazaif.

22. I am a widow/divorced woman. Are there special provisions for me? Yes. These programs are specifically designed to support women-headed households. Widows and divorced women are given priority, provided they meet the poverty criteria. You will need your husband’s death certificate or divorce papers.

23. I have a disability. What support is available? Individuals with disabilities are often given special consideration. You must have a valid disability certificate from a government hospital to be registered under this category.

24. Can students apply for financial aid? Yes, there are specific programs like the Benazir Taleemi Wazaif (for school children of BISP beneficiaries) and various university scholarships.

25. My entire family’s CNICs are registered to one address, but we live separately. How does this affect eligibility? Eligibility is determined at the household level. If you live and cook separately, you should be registered as a separate household in the NSER survey, even if your permanent address is the same.

3. Payments & Financials

26. How much money will I receive? The amount varies by program. For example, the BISP Kafalat payment is currently Rs. 10,500 per quarter. Educational stipends depend on the child’s age and gender.

27. How often are payments made? Most cash grants are paid quarterly (every three months).

28. How will I receive the money? Payments are typically disbursed through designated partner banks (like HBL, Bank Alfalah) via biometric verification at their agent shops or ATMs.

29. When is the next payment date for [Scheme Name]? We post updates on payment dates as soon as they are officially announced. Please check our homepage or the specific scheme page for the latest news.

30. My payment is delayed. What should I do? Payments are often released in phases by region. It’s possible your district’s turn has not come yet. If it’s been a long time, you should contact the official BISP helpline or visit their local office.

31. Are there any deductions or fees when receiving payment? No. The payment should be given to you in full. It is illegal for an agent to deduct any “fee” or “commission.” Report any such incident immediately.

32. Can I receive money through EasyPaisa or JazzCash? Currently, most large-scale government payments are made through partner banks and not mobile wallets like EasyPaisa or JazzCash.

33. What is biometric verification? This is a security measure where you must scan your fingerprint to prove your identity before receiving payment. This ensures the money goes to the correct person.

34. My biometric verification failed. What’s the next step? This can happen if your fingerprints are worn out. Visit a NADRA office to have your fingerprints updated. Then, inform the BISP office so they can update your file.

35. Can someone else collect the payment on my behalf? No. The registered beneficiary (usually the female head of the household) must be present for biometric verification to collect the payment.

4. Specific Scheme Questions

36. What is the difference between BISP and Ehsaas? Ehsaas was a broader poverty alleviation framework launched in 2019 that included many programs. BISP is the main government organization responsible for implementing many of these social safety net programs, including the primary cash grant (Benazir Kafalat). Many programs started under the “Ehsaas” name are now run by BISP.

37. What is the Benazir Taleemi Wazaif? It is an educational stipend program for the children of BISP beneficiaries. It provides extra cash to encourage families to send their children to school and ensure they maintain at least 70% attendance.

38. What is the Benazir Nashonuma program? This program supports the health of pregnant and lactating mothers and their children (up to 2 years of age) by providing specialized nutritional food and cash stipends, conditional on attending regular health check-ups.

39. Is the Ehsaas program still active? The name “Ehsaas” is used less frequently now. The programs themselves, like the cash grant, educational stipends, and others, have continued and are being managed and expanded by BISP.

40. How do I apply for an interest-free loan? Interest-free loans are offered through specific government programs, often in partnership with microfinance banks like Akhuwat. You need to visit the designated loan center for that program to apply.

41. What is the Kisan Card? The Kisan Card is a program designed to support farmers by providing them with subsidies on fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides.

42. Are there schemes for young entrepreneurs? Yes, the Prime Minister’s Youth Business & Agriculture Loan Scheme offers subsidized loans to young people to start or expand their businesses.

43. How do I get a Sehat Sahulat card for medical treatment? The Sehat Sahulat Program provides health insurance to eligible families. Eligibility is often linked to your NSER poverty score. You can check your eligibility on the program’s official website or via SMS service.

44. Do provinces like Punjab or Sindh have their own schemes? Yes. Provincial governments often launch their own schemes, such as student laptop programs, solar panel subsidies, or specific relief packages. We cover these in addition to federal programs.

45. What is the 8171 service? 8171 is the official short-code for BISP. You can send your CNIC number to 8171 to check your eligibility, and you will receive official payment notifications from this number.

5. Troubleshooting & Common Problems

46. I lost the phone number I registered with. How do I update it? You must visit a BISP registration center in person to update your phone number in their records.

47. My CNIC has expired. Can I still receive payments? No. You must have a valid, unexpired CNIC to receive payments. Renew your CNIC at a NADRA office as soon as possible.

48. The message from 8171 says I am ineligible, but I believe I qualify. This may be because your NSER survey data is outdated or inaccurate. Visit a registration center to review and update your household information.

49. I received less money than I was supposed to. Who do I complain to? Immediately report the agent to the BISP helpline or their local office. Provide the agent’s name, location, and the amount that was deducted.

50. The payment device agent is asking for a fee. What should I do? Refuse to pay the fee. This is illegal. Report the agent immediately to the official BISP helpline.

51. My name is on the list, but I haven’t received an SMS. Why? This could be due to an incorrect phone number in the system or network issues. Visit the official web portal to check your status or go to the nearest payment center and try biometric verification.

52. Why was my payment blocked? Payments can be blocked if a new verification check finds you ineligible (e.g., your spouse got a government job, your income increased), or if your CNIC has expired. Visit the BISP office for a clear reason.

53. I made a mistake on my application form. How can I correct it? You must go back to the registration center to correct any errors in your NSER survey form.

54. I am unable to visit a registration center due to old age or illness. Are there alternatives? Unfortunately, in-person registration is usually required. You may need a family member to assist you in getting to the center.

55. I received an SMS to collect money, but the agent says there is no payment. What do I do? First, double-check the SMS is from 8171. If it is, show the message to the agent. If they still refuse, there might be a system delay. Try again the next day or contact the BISP helpline.

6. Safety, Security & Avoiding Scams

56. How can I identify a fake SMS or WhatsApp message about a scheme? Official messages from BISP come from 8171 only. Scammers use regular phone numbers or fake letterheads. They often create a sense of urgency or ask for a fee. Ignore and delete messages from any other number.

57. What are the official helpline numbers and websites? We list the official helpline numbers and link to official websites on each scheme’s page. The main BISP helpline is 0800-26477.

58. Is it safe to give my CNIC copy to anyone? Only provide your CNIC copy to official staff at designated registration centers. Never give it to random individuals or unverified agents.

59. Someone called asking for an OTP or PIN to process my payment. What should I do? Hang up immediately. Government or bank officials will NEVER ask for your PIN, OTP, or other secret codes over the phone. This is a scam.

60. Where can I report a scam or a corrupt agent? Report it to the BISP helpline at 0800-26477, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cyber Crime Wing, or your local police.