PM Imran to launch Ehsaas Kafaalat card with Quaid's picture today

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan will unveil the new Ehsaas Kafaalat card today (Friday) with the founder of the country Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s picture on it.

The card will not only make the beneficiaries able to withdraw monthly cash payment but will also connect them to other initiatives under the Ehsaas programme, reported The News.

The card will be unveiled at the launch of new Kafaalat programme today which will provide Rs2,000 monthly cash payments to seven million of the poorest women in the country. 

Previous safety net initiatives under Benazir Income Support Programme, for a decade, had the image of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto on it. Later, during Nawaz Sharif’s government, two pictures appeared on the card—Nawaz Sharif and Benazir.

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"Coming under the umbrella of Ehsaas, the Kafaalat will realise the prime minister’s longstanding commitment to ‘Money for Rations’ and ‘One Woman, One Bank Account’," said the report. 

All beneficiaries will be able to access the payments at special ATMs and bank branches and will also have the option to deposit funds into a savings account.

“There are major differences between the earlier BISP programme and Kafaalat”, explained Dr Sania Nishtar.

“Major changes have been made after 10 years. The survey methodology has been revised to enable ongoing identification of beneficiaries through desk registration. The earlier survey was 10 years old," she said.

"Also, the payment system was 10 years old and through a new procurement process, a new payment system has been installed.

"The cash transfer has been increased, inflation adjusted and the safety net Kafaalat now offers digital and financial inclusion opportunity since women will have bank accounts and better access to mobile phones. We are using data analytics to refine the list of beneficiaries and make sure that only the true deserving have access to safety nets”, added Nishtar.

The Kafaalat programme is expected to benefit seven million women by the end of 2020.