ISLAMABAD (PEN) : A recent financial audit has uncovered irregularities amounting to over Rs141 billion in Pakistan’s flagship Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) during the fiscal year 2023-24. The audit report, which highlights multiple instances of mismanagement and misuse of funds, raises concerns about the program’s financial integrity.
Irregularities in Payments to Beneficiaries
The audit revealed that millions of beneficiaries received payments without valid national identity cards. Out of the 9.3 million registered families, 3.077 million did not have proper identification but still received payments amounting to Rs116.95 billion. Despite these discrepancies, some rightful recipients are still waiting for payments, with an outstanding amount of Rs54.67 million yet to be disbursed.
In addition, Rs4 billion was distributed to ineligible individuals, including tax filers and families of government employees, who should not have received the financial assistance. A total of Rs60 million was also allocated to these ineligible groups.
Misuse of Educational Funds
The audit also highlighted the misuse of funds intended for educational scholarships. Over Rs11.5 million was distributed to unauthorized students, and Rs13.8 million was paid to over 5.4 million students marked as present despite not attending classes. Furthermore, Rs154.2 million was paid to 57,833 students who failed to meet the required 70% attendance threshold. In total, Rs2.8 million was unlawfully disbursed through fraudulent enrollments.
Unlawful Withdrawals and Excessive Payments
Other findings included unlawful withdrawals from beneficiaries’ accounts, with Rs454.7 million taken from cash grants designated for specific districts. Additionally, Rs115 million was improperly deducted from beneficiaries’ accounts, and unauthorized payments were made under various categories. The Nashonuma Program, in particular, saw excessive payments amounting to Rs55 million.
Other Financial Discrepancies
The audit also uncovered embezzlement totaling Rs40 million, which remains unrecovered, along with a shortfall of Rs30 million in income tax deductions. These discrepancies point to significant flaws in the management and oversight of the program.
Calls for Further Investigation
In light of these revelations, authorities are expected to conduct further investigations to ensure accountability and prevent future financial mismanagement. The audit report underscores the urgent need for reforms within BISP to ensure that the funds reach the deserving individuals and that such irregularities are addressed promptly.
As the government works to address these concerns, it is crucial that the integrity of the Benazir Income Support Program be restored to maintain public trust and ensure the program’s effectiveness in supporting vulnerable populations.
