Financial irregularities totalling Rs24 billion have been detected within the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). More than 140,000 government employees and pensioners received payments intended for deserving families.
Specifically, 140,488 ineligible government workers were identified as recipients of the programme's funds. The discrepancies were first identified in 2019, yet the illicit payments continued for a period of six years.
During the 2019-20 fiscal year, government workers and pensioners collected Rs23.13 billion from the scheme. Authorities paid out Rs900 million even after the ineligible status of these government employees had been established.
In the 2020-21 period, more than 12,000 employees took Rs146.7 million, while 2,447 government workers received funds in 2021-22. A further 2,235 government employees received payments during the 2022-23 cycle.
The list of those who received funds earmarked for poor beneficiaries also included 236 BISP employees. Recoveries have reached a total of Rs710 million so far.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) recovered Rs540 million, while other government departments reclaimed Rs145 million. BISP recovered Rs21.5 million from its own staff members.
Records of the employees allegedly involved in these irregularities have been sent to the relevant departments.
