Jazz Rolls Out Two Million Free SIMs for BISP Women to Support Cashless Economy Push

ISLAMABAD: In line with the prime minister’s directive to fast-track Pakistan’s transition to a cashless economy, Jazz has launched a nationwide initiative to distribute two million free SIMs to women enrolled in the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), one of the country’s largest social safety net systems.

According to details shared on Wednesday, 1.7 million of these SIMs come pre-linked with JazzCash mobile wallets, enabling women who have long remained outside the formal banking sector to receive and manage payments digitally for the first time.

The move follows recent instructions issued to all mobile network operators to ensure that BISP beneficiaries — particularly those without active mobile connections — are not left behind as the government shifts from cash-based disbursements to secure electronic transfers.

Direct digital payments for 10 million women

Under the new system, eligible women will receive free Jazz SIMs, activated on the spot and linked with mobile wallets so that their future BISP stipends can be deposited directly. The company said that this new mechanism would eliminate intermediaries, reduce risks associated with carrying physical cash, and allow beneficiaries to withdraw funds safely or make essential digital payments.

Officials familiar with the rollout said the initiative is designed to remove long-standing barriers that prevent low-income women from accessing financial services — including lack of documentation, mobility constraints, and limited control over household finances.

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BISP currently has more than 10 million registered female beneficiaries. Jazz has been tasked with activating the first wave of two million unconnected recipients, with the company stating that it is prepared to scale up distribution as the government accelerates its digitisation drive.

Towards a cashless social safety net

The government has repeatedly stressed that digitising social protection payments is central to improving transparency and reducing leakages in welfare programmes. By integrating SIM ownership with mobile wallets, authorities aim to create a secure, traceable and convenient channel for public financial assistance, particularly for women in remote or underserved areas.

The initiative is expected to significantly increase digital inclusion among low-income women, expand mobile wallet penetration, and support the broader shift toward a cashless economy envisioned under the prime minister’s reform agenda.