Robbed of funds: Women complain fake BISP cards in circulation

Lakki Marwat assistant director denies claims, says middlemen behind con

LAKKI MARWAT: Women in Lakki Marwat said Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) cards were being misused.

One subscriber of BISP, Naseem Zarro, told The Express Tribune people have made fake cards using names of women who are eligible for the scheme. She said she and other women have original cards but con artists use duplicates to withdraw BISP funds.

Another woman said her card once got stuck in the ATM, but was never returned to her, even though she made several attempts to get it back. She implied that was one how her card could have been misused.

Zarro, Zareen Taj and Mumtaz complained they have submitted letters to relevant departments but officials have not taken any ation. They believed the officials were also involved in the corruption.



When contacted, BISP Lakki Marwat Assistant Director Faheemullah said it was not possible to make fake cards under the programme. He said some women handed their cards over to private agents to get help withdrawing their money; sometimes ATMs are not available close by. Faheemullah added these agents take advantage of the situation, withdraw the women’s money and then return fake cards.

“Women should ask the private agents for the money they deserve, not BISP officials.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 10^th,  2016.