The Benazir Income Support Programme has received a boost after the International Monetary Fund welcomed an increase in its budget.

According to details, the IMF described the move as a positive step towards strengthening social protection in Pakistan.

As per the official information, the IMF praised the decision of the government to enhance financial support for BISP.

It also recommended further increases through the Benazir Kafalat Programme, noting current cash assistance remains below international benchmarks.

In its assessment, the IMF said the government has introduced measures to strengthen social safety nets by raising spending on BISP.

It added that benefits are being increased to help poor households maintain purchasing power amid rising prices.

Under the updated plan, expenditures on assistance programmes within BISP have risen by 20 percent.

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As a result, Kafalat families will receive higher cash payments, with unconditional transfers rising from Rs13,500 to Rs14,500.

The IMF said this expansion would bring at least 200,000 additional families under the scheme’s coverage.

By the end of fiscal year 2026, the total number of beneficiary families is expected to reach 10.2 million.

The IMF also recommended reassessing assistance amounts following a new household survey planned for 2026.

The fund advised increasing Kafalat support to nearly 15 percent of consumption levels for low-income households.

It further called for continued inflation-linked increases and expanded access to conditional cash transfer programmes under BISP.

The IMF also stressed the need to fully utilise funds allocated for Conditional Cash Transfers to improve benefits for eligible families.