On 29 July 2024 7, 2024, the chiefs of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) met in Islamabad to discuss measures to protect BISP beneficiaries from scams. Senator Rubina Khalid, Chairperson of BISP, and Major General (R) Hafeez Ur Rehman, Chairman of the PTA, addressed the issue of fraudulent messages and calls from 8171 being falsely masked as “BISP,” as well as the proliferation of fake websites exploiting the BISP name.
Key Discussion Points
- Scam Awareness: The officials emphasized the need for a nationwide public awareness campaign to educate beneficiaries about these scams.
- Joint Committee Formation: They agreed to form a joint committee to review progress and implement proactive measures.
- Mobile Number Validation: Discussed validating mobile numbers of BISP beneficiaries registered against their CNICs.
- SIM Issuance Mechanism: They deliberated on designing a mechanism for the issuance of SIMs to existing and new beneficiaries.
PTA’s Assurance
Chairman PTA, Hafeez Ur Rehman, assured full cooperation from PTA to support these initiatives and ensure the security of BISP beneficiaries.
Quick Details
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Meeting Date | 29 July 2024 7, 2024 |
| Participants | Senator Rubina Khalid (BISP), Major General (R) Hafeez Ur Rehman (PTA) |
| Main Issues Discussed | Scams, fake websites, fraudulent messages and calls |
| Key Measures | Public awareness campaign, joint committee, mobile number validation, SIM issuance mechanism |
FAQs
Q1: What was the main agenda of the meeting between BISP and PTA?
A1: The main agenda was to discuss measures to protect BISP beneficiaries from scams and misinformation, including fraudulent messages, calls, and fake websites.
Q2: Who participated in the meeting?
A2: Senator Rubina Khalid, Chairperson of BISP, and Major General (R) Hafeez Ur Rehman, Chairman of the PTA, participated in the meeting.
Q3: What measures were discussed to protect BISP beneficiaries?
A3: The measures discussed included launching a nationwide public awareness campaign, forming a joint committee, validating mobile numbers registered against CNICs, and designing a mechanism for SIM issuance to beneficiaries.
Q4: What assurance did the PTA Chairman provide?
A4: Chairman PTA, Hafeez Ur Rehman, assured full cooperation from PTA to support these initiatives and ensure the security of BISP beneficiaries.
Q5: Why is it important to validate mobile numbers of BISP beneficiaries?
A5: Validating mobile numbers is important to ensure that the registered numbers are accurate and to prevent fraudulent activities targeting BISP beneficiaries.
This collaboration between BISP and PTA aims to create a safer environment for beneficiaries by addressing the current issues and implementing proactive measures. The formation of a joint committee and the launch of a public awareness campaign are significant steps towards achieving this goal.