The Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) is one of the biggest help programs in Pakistan. It was made to support poor and needy families, especially women. Under this program, women receive financial aid to help them take care of their families. However, many women recently found their BISP cards blocked. This happened after the government did a new survey to check if people still qualify.
One major reason for card blockage is the PMT score. PMT stands for Poverty Means Test. It is a score system used to find out how poor a person or family is. If someone has a high PMT score, it means they may not be as needy as others. The government uses this score to decide who should get help.
What is the PMT Score?
The PMT score is calculated after the Punjab Socio-Economic Registry (PSER) survey or the NSER survey. During this survey, government teams visit homes and ask many questions. These questions are about:
-
How many people live in the house
-
What kind of job the head of the family does
-
How much income the family earns
-
Whether the family owns land, property, car, etc.
-
What kind of house they live in (kacha, pakka, etc.)
After getting this information, the government gives a score. This is called the PMT score. The lower the score, the poorer the person is.
Why Cards Were Blocked for Scores Above 32
According to the new rules, women with a PMT score higher than 32 were considered ineligible for BISP support. That means the government thinks they are not poor enough to get aid. You Visit Official Website
Before this change, the score limit was higher. Even women with scores up to 40 or more could get help. But now, due to budget limits and a focus on helping the poorest families first, the limit was reduced to around 32 or below.
That is why many women received messages that their cards have been blocked, and payments were stopped. These women are upset and worried, as they depended on this help to feed their children, pay bills, or manage household needs.
Effects on Women and Families
This change has caused trouble for many poor families. Some of these women say they are still struggling with poverty and need help. But due to small improvements in their PMT score—like one child getting a part-time job or the family owning a small fan or TV—their score increased above 32.
For many, these small things do not mean they are rich. But according to the system, even such details can raise the score. That is why some deserving women are being left out.
What Can Affected Women Do?
If your card was blocked because your score is above 32, here are steps you can take:
-
Check Your PMT Score:
You can visit the nearest BISP office or check online using your CNIC number. -
Visit the BISP Office:
Go to your local Benazir office and explain your situation. If your family is really poor, request a re-survey. -
Wait for Re-survey Option:
The government has announced that a re-survey will be allowed soon for families who were wrongly disqualified. -
Stay Informed:
Follow BISP news and updates from the 8171 Web Portal. You may become eligible again.
| PMT Score Range | Eligibility | BISP Card Status | Action Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 – 32 | Eligible | Card Active | Continue receiving aid |
| 33 – 35 | Borderline | Card May Be Blocked Soon | Prepare for re-survey |
| 36 – 40 | Not Eligible | Card Blocked | Request re-survey |
| Above 40 | Clearly Ineligible | Card Blocked | Not qualified |
FAQs
Why was my BISP card blocked even though I’m still poor?
If your PMT score increased above 32 during the latest survey, you are now considered ineligible. You can request a re-survey to explain your financial situation.
How can I check my PMT score?
You can check it online through the 8171 portal by entering your CNIC number or by visiting your nearest BISP or NADRA center.
Can I apply again if my card is blocked?
Yes, you may apply again when the government announces the re-survey. Keep your documents ready and stay updated with BISP news.
Is the PMT score the only factor for BISP aid?
Yes, currently the PMT score is the main deciding factor. If it is above the threshold (32), you cannot receive financial help.
Conclusion
The Benazir Income Support Program is a lifeline for many poor women in Pakistan. However, the new survey and PMT score rules have caused many cards to be blocked, especially for those scoring above 32. While the goal is to help the neediest first, some deserving families have been left out. If you are one of them, don’t lose hope. Keep your documents ready, follow updates, and apply for a re-survey when possible. The government has promised improvements, and there may still be a chance to rejoin the program.