If you're one of the millions of families relying on Benazir Kafaalat, there's a significant increase on the horizon. A recent government briefing has confirmed plans to raise the quarterly stipend well beyond its current level.
What Was Confirmed
First Lady Bibi Asifa Bhutto Zardari was briefed by BISP Chairperson Senator Rubina Khalid and Secretary Amir Ali Ahmed at Parliament House, where the increase to Rs 18,000 from January 2027 was laid out as part of the programme's ongoing reforms. The briefing also confirmed that Rs 716 billion was allocated to BISP for the 2025-26 financial year, with a proposed Rs 844 billion for 2026-27.
Kafaalat Payment Timeline
| Period | Quarterly Amount |
|---|---|
| January 2025 – February 2026 | Rs 13,500 |
| March 2026 – December 2026 (current) | Rs 14,500 |
| From January 2027 (confirmed plan) | Rs 18,000 |
Beyond Kafaalat: Other BISP Programs
The June briefing also gave updates on BISP's wider portfolio:
- Benazir Taleemi Wazaif — education stipends reaching 12.4 million children, tied to a minimum 70 percent school attendance requirement.
- Benazir Nashonuma — nutrition support for around two million pregnant and lactating women and children under two, with 52,000 adolescent girls now included under a pilot phase.
- Benazir Hunarmand — free skills training, with more than 7,000 people already enrolled.
- Digital Social Protection Wallets — over 10 million beneficiaries connected to the formal financial system, with more than 8.5 million free SIMs distributed and over 410,000 people trained in digital and financial literacy.
How to Check Your Current Payment Status
You can confirm whether your Kafaalat installment has been credited using either method:
- Open your phone's messaging app.
- Type your 13-digit CNIC number, with no spaces or dashes.
- Send it to 8171.
- You'll receive an official reply confirming your payment status, release date, or any verification required.
Alternatively, visit the official BISP 8171 web portal and enter your CNIC along with the security code shown on screen.
Final Thoughts
The confirmed plan to raise Kafaalat to Rs 18,000 from January 2027 is welcome news for the 12 million households currently receiving Rs 14,500 per quarter, but it's still a plan rather than a live payment change — keep checking your status through 8171 rather than relying on rumours. In the meantime, remember that Kafaalat is only one part of a wider BISP support system that also includes education stipends, nutrition support, and skills training.
Official source: Press Information Department, Government of Pakistan — PR No. 170
