BISP New ATM Card 2025 — How to Get & Use

Current BISP Payment Method — Biometric ATM

The Benazir Income Support Programme currently distributes Kafaalat payments through the BISP Social Protection Wallet, which beneficiaries access via HBL biometric-enabled ATMs. This system does not require a physical debit card, PIN, or bank account. Instead, your identity is verified at the ATM using your fingerprint, which is matched in real time against your NADRA CNIC biometric record.

The mechanism is straightforward: when your quarterly payment of Rs 14,500 is deposited into your wallet by HBL, you receive an SMS on your registered mobile number. You then visit the nearest HBL biometric ATM, enter your 13-digit CNIC number on the keypad, and place your finger on the scanner. Once verified, the machine dispenses the cash. No card, no PIN, no bank visit is required at any point.

This biometric-first approach was adopted to combat payment fraud and ensure that cash transfers reach the intended female beneficiary directly, rather than being intercepted by intermediaries. It also eliminates problems associated with lost, stolen, or damaged cards — your fingerprint is always with you.

History of the Physical BISP Card

In earlier years of the programme, BISP did issue physical payment cards to beneficiaries in certain phases of its rollout. These cards were used with HBL ATMs and required a PIN for access. However, the programme transitioned to a fully biometric-based system over time to address significant challenges with the card model:

• Lost and stolen cards: Many beneficiaries, particularly in rural areas, lost physical cards before payment windows opened, or had cards taken by family members or intermediaries.
• PIN problems: Beneficiaries with low literacy levels found it difficult to remember and protect PIN numbers, leading to unauthorised withdrawals.
• Card fraud: A market emerged for fraudulently obtained BISP cards, with scammers exploiting beneficiaries by selling them fake cards or stealing genuine ones.
• Intermediary capture: Payments were sometimes collected by household members or "agents" using the beneficiary's card without her knowledge or consent.

The shift to biometric verification addressed all of these issues simultaneously. Since only the registered beneficiary's fingerprint can unlock the ATM withdrawal, it is significantly harder for a third party to collect a payment without the beneficiary's physical presence and consent.

The card-and-PIN phase also coincided with an earlier programme scale, when BISP enrolled fewer households and managed smaller payment volumes. As BISP expanded to cover 9.3 million households — one of South Asia's largest cash transfer programmes — the biometric model proved more scalable and fraud-resistant than a card system ever could be at that volume.

How the HBL Biometric ATM Works

The HBL biometric ATM is a standard ATM machine modified with a fingerprint scanning device. When configured for BISP payments, the machine connects to NADRA's biometric database in real time to verify the identity of the person at the machine. Here is the full process:

1. Select BISP/Kafaalat payment option:On the ATM screen, navigate to the BISP payment menu. This is labelled as "BISP Payment," "Benazir Kafaalat," or a similar option depending on the ATM model.
2. Enter your CNIC number: When prompted, use the ATM keypad to enter your 13-digit CNIC number without dashes or spaces.
3. Fingerprint scan:Place your finger on the scanner firmly and hold it steady. The machine sends your fingerprint to NADRA's database for real-time matching. Try multiple fingers if the first scan does not match — all 10 fingerprints are enrolled in NADRA records.
4. Balance display and withdrawal confirmation: After successful verification, the screen shows your available BISP wallet balance. Confirm the withdrawal amount — you can withdraw the full amount in one transaction.
5. Cash and receipt: The ATM dispenses the cash and prints a receipt. Keep the receipt as proof of collection.

Social Protection Wallet — The New Card Context

When BISP launched the expanded Social Protection Wallet in November 2025, the initiative included distributing free SIM cardsto beneficiaries who did not yet have a NADRA-registered mobile number linked to their CNIC. These SIMs are sometimes informally referred to as “the new BISP card” on social media — which causes significant confusion.

To clarify exactly what is and is not happening:

• What is real: BISP is distributing free SIM cards to eligible beneficiaries through BISP offices as part of the Social Protection Wallet rollout. This is an official programme announced at bisp.gov.pk by BISP Chairperson Senator Rubina Khalid in November 2025.
• What the SIM does: The free SIM activates the Social Protection Wallet — it is the mobile number linked to your BISP payment account. When your quarterly payment is deposited, an SMS arrives on this SIM. You still withdraw cash at an HBL biometric ATM using your fingerprint — the SIM itself is not a debit card.
• What is not confirmed: There is no confirmed nationwide rollout of a new physical debit card for BISP as of mid-2026. Announcements circulating on social media about a new ATM card distributing “Rs 27,000” or similar inflated amounts are unverified and should not be acted upon.
• How to get the free SIM: If you are eligible and need a SIM, visit your nearest BISP district or tehsil office with your original CNIC. Do not go to private agents — SIM distribution happens through official BISP channels only.

If a New BISP Card Is Announced — What to Know

BISP periodically updates its payment infrastructure. If a new physical card system is announced or piloted, the following will be true of any genuine BISP card launch:

• It will be announced officially on bisp.gov.pk — the government's official BISP website
• It will be confirmed by the BISP helpline 0800-26477
• Your BISP district or tehsil office will receive official instructions and can confirm the programme
• The card will be delivered through an official channel — your registered address, a BISP office, or an HBL branch — never through a private agent or informal middleman
• Receiving the card will be entirely free — BISP never charges any fee for card issuance, registration, or activation

If you hear about a new BISP card through social media, WhatsApp, or an unofficial website, do not act on it until you have verified it through one of the three official channels listed above.

Fake BISP Card Scams — How to Spot Them

"New BISP card" announcements are one of the most commonly used pretexts in BISP-related fraud. Scammers create fake websites that look like official BISP portals, send fraudulent SMS messages claiming a new card is ready for collection, or contact beneficiaries through WhatsApp groups posing as BISP representatives.

Common red flags of a fake card scheme:

• You are asked to pay a fee (any amount) to receive or activate the card
• The "card" is being distributed by a private individual, agent, or non-official representative
• The announcement came via WhatsApp, Facebook, or a website address that is not bisp.gov.pk
• You are asked to share your CNIC details, fingerprint data, or mobile OTP to receive the card
• The contact number is not 0800-26477 (the official BISP toll-free helpline)
• You are told to visit a private office, shop, or home rather than an official BISP or HBL location

If you encounter any of the above, do not proceed. Contact the BISP helpline on 0800-26477 to verify whether any card programme is currently operating in your area. For more warning signs and examples, see our full guide: BISP Scams — How to Stay Safe.

What to Do If You Have Not Received a Card

If you believe a card was supposed to be distributed as part of an official BISP programme and you have not received one, follow these steps:

1. Verify the programme first: Check bisp.gov.pk or call 0800-26477 to confirm whether a card distribution programme is currently active in your district.
2. Check your payment status: Visit 8171.bisp.gov.pk and enter your CNIC to see your current BISP status and whether any payment is pending or available.
3. Visit your BISP district office: Bring your original CNIC and ask staff specifically about card distribution in your area. They can confirm whether a programme is active and when cards will reach your district.
4. File a complaint if needed: If you believe your card was lost, intercepted, or not delivered despite the programme being active, file a complaint at the BISP helpline 0800-26477 or at citizenportal.gov.pk.

Remember: even without a card, you can collect your Kafaalat payment using fingerprint biometric verification at any HBL biometric ATM. The card — if issued — would be an additional payment channel, not a replacement for the biometric system.

Complete Payment Collection Steps — 2025

Until any new card system is officially launched and confirmed, the following are the current official methods to collect your BISP Kafaalat payment:

Option 1: HBL Biometric ATM (Primary Method)

1. Receive SMS notification on your registered mobile number confirming payment availability
2. Locate your nearest HBL biometric ATM (identifiable by fingerprint scanner device)
3. Select BISP/Kafaalat option on the ATM screen
4. Enter your 13-digit CNIC number
5. Place your finger on the scanner — hold steady until verified
6. Confirm withdrawal amount and collect cash and receipt

Option 2: Designated Payment Campsite (For Remote Areas)

1. Watch for SMS notification or local announcement about a campsite in your area
2. Attend the campsite during operating hours — bring your original CNIC
3. BISP/HBL staff will conduct biometric fingerprint verification on-site
4. Cash is disbursed directly after successful verification

Both methods are free of charge. For the latest information on payment locations in your district, contact the BISP helpline on 0800-26477 or see our guide: BISP Payment Locations by District.