Pilot phase of new targeting mechanism for BISP completed: government informs IMF

The Government has informed the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that it has completed the pilot phase of the new strengthened targeting mechanism (scorecard) for the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP).
According to Letter of Intent (LoI) of the government of Pakistan submitted to the IMF under the Stand-by agreement Pakistan intends to implement in the context of its request for financial support from the IMF, the nation-wide roll-out has been delayed due to unforeseen issues as well as administrative capacity constraints.
The LoI says that the government expects this nation-wide roll-out to be completed by the end of 2010, after which all recipients of BISP benefits will be selected using the scorecard system. Meanwhile, the government is using the existing targeting mechanism.
"To offset its weaknesses while the scorecard targeting system is rolled out, we will establish local offices at Tehsil level, provide mechanisms for grievances and complaints, and develop and test alternative payment methods. Further, in September 2009, we introduced the Wasilla-ul-Haq credit program as one of the potential graduation strategies for BISP recipients to eradicate poverty,"
According to LoI, the government plans to revise the design of this program and ensure that BISP has the appropriate institutional capacity for the nation-wide rollout of the poverty scorecard before any decision is taken on the expansion of graduation programs.