Ehsaas Kafalat: A Ray of Hope for Pakistan’s Poorest Women
What is Ehsaas Kafalat?
Launched in 2019, the ehsaas kafalat program provides quarterly cash transfers of PKR 14,000 (PKR 4,667/month) to deserving women from low-income families. The goal? Empower women financially so they can afford basic necessities like food, medicine, and school fees for their children.
Key Features of Ehsaas kafalat program
✔ Women-Centric – Only female heads of households receive funds.
✔ Biometric Verification – Ensures transparency (no middlemen).
✔ Bank Accounts & Mobile Wallets – Payments go directly to beneficiaries.
✔ Part of Wider Ehsaas Network – Linked with other welfare programs.
Who Qualifies for Ehsaas kafalat program?
Not everyone gets this support. The government uses strict criteria:
- Poverty Score (PMT ≤ 40) – Families are surveyed under the National Socio-Economic Registry (NSER).
- Women Priority – Widows, divorced women, and those with disabilities get preference.
- No Other Major Govt. Support – If a family already gets BISP or other subsidies, they may not qualify.
“At first, I didn’t believe it was real,” says Fatima from Karachi, “but when I got the first payment, I could finally buy my son’s school uniform.”
How to Apply in Ehsaas kafalat program?
The process is simple, but many women—especially in rural areas—struggle due to lack of awareness. Here’s how it works:
1. Check Eligibility
- SMS your CNIC to 8171 (Reply will confirm if you’re eligible).
- Visit an Ehsaas Center for manual verification.
2. Register & Verify
- If eligible, visit a designated HBL branch for biometric verification.
- Open a bank account (if you don’t have one).
3. Receive Payments
- Quarterly installments (PKR 14,000 every 3 months).
- Collect cash from ATMs or agents using biometric verification.
Success Stories & Challenges
The Good:
✅ 7+ Million Women enrolled (as of 2024).
✅ Reduced dependency on predatory loans.
✅ More girls going to school (mothers use funds for education).
The Problems:
❌ Delays in Payments – Some women wait months.
❌ Exclusion Errors – Many deserving women still left out.
❌ Limited Awareness – Rural women often don’t know how to apply.
What’s Next for Ehsaas Kafalat?
The government plans to:
🔹 Increase the amount (possibly to PKR 15,000-20,000 due to inflation).
🔹 Expand coverage (include more marginalized women).
🔹 Improve disbursement speed (reduce delays).
Final Thoughts
For women Ehsaas Kafalat isn’t just a program—it’s hope. But for it to truly succeed, corruption must be minimized, awareness increased, and payments made on time.
Need help applying?
📞 Call 0800-26477 or visit ehsaas.gov.pk
For more updates on government schemes, stay tuned to our website! ehsaas program register
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