Beneficiaries of the programme are women with no other source of income. They are being identified through door-to-door surveys to be completed in three phases across Pakistan and there is an option built into the programme that allows missed households to appeal their exclusion.
Ehsaas Innovative digital payment system for poorest women introduced in KP
“The Ehsaas Kifalat programme is a major component of the government’s plans to build a welfare state which supports the poorest in society”, said Dr. Sania Nishtar during the visit. “Under previous cash transfer programs, women were forced to travel long distances to access retail shops, and too often were subject to abuse by greedy retail agents. Under the new system, women will be able to go to biometric ATMs and branches, empowering them through financial inclusion and protecting them from corrupt financial mistreatment.” During the visit, Dr. Nishtar observed how Bank Alfalah plans to provide a welcoming environment for those people who have not previously used a bank, including their methods for guiding beneficiaries through the new system of finger-print security. The new system will no longer rely on money orders or payment cards and will also provide an option that did not previously exist for women to build up a savings account. Beneficiaries will now have the choice of going to a biometric retail shop, a biometrically enabled ATM or any biometrically enabled branch of the relevant banks. Must see? Top 5 Smartphone Features for Android and iOS in 2020 Bank Alfalah was one of two banks selected to distribute the payments across KP, GB and AJK, following a transparent 10-month open procurement process. The other is Habib Bank Limited. Both banks are opening facilities across the country to ensure that women have easy access to their payments in a respectable manner. Dr. Nishtar was joined by Advisor to KP Chief Minster on Merged Districts, Ajmal Wazir at the opening of Bank Alfalah’s new biometric ATM in Peshawar, which is easily accessible and prominent. Senior officials from the bank were also present at the inauguration.
