Did BISP overcome language barriers with Language Accessibility in BISP in its July 2025 campaign? Our audit evaluates whether Pakistan’s social welfare program effectively communicated with beneficiaries in their native languages – including Pashto, Sindhi, Balochi and Saraiki – or relied primarily on Urdu. By analyzing SMS alerts, voice messages, and community outreach, we reveal critical gaps in language accessibility that affected millions, particularly in rural areas where regional languages dominate daily communication.

Language Accessibility in BISP

Aspect	Findings	Recommendations
Primary Language Used	Urdu dominated SMS, posters, and announcements.	Expand translations to Pashto, Sindhi, Balochi, Saraiki, and Punjabi.
Regional Efforts	Sindhi & Pashto saw some use; Balochi/Saraiki were underused.	Standardize multilingual materials across all provinces.
Visual & Voice Aids	Effective where used (icons, voice calls), but inconsistent coverage.	Make visual/voice guides mandatory in low-literacy regions.
Major Gaps	– Saraiki/Punjabi exclusion – Over-reliance on Urdu SMS – No central policy	Implement a national language policy for uniform outreach.
Success Stories	Bilingual (Urdu + regional) materials improved comprehension in pilot areas.	Scale successful models (e.g., Sindhi posters, Pashto broadcasts) nationwide.

Why Language Accessibility in BISP is Crucial for Social Welfare

🔍 Language accessibility in BISP ensures that all eligible beneficiaries—regardless of literacy or linguistic background—receive clear, actionable information. Pakistan’s linguistic diversity means that millions rely on regional languages like Pashto, Sindhi, Balochi, and Saraiki for daily communication.

Key Benefits of Multilingual Communication in BISP

✅ Why language accessibility in BISP matters:

Benefit	Impact
Clearer Understanding	Reduces confusion on eligibility, payments, and procedures.
Greater Trust	Builds confidence in the program among marginalized communities.
Inclusive Outreach	Ensures non-Urdu speakers aren’t left behind due to language barriers.
Fewer Errors	Minimizes mistakes in applications and payment collections.

July 2025 Campaign: How Well Did BISP Perform on Language Accessibility?

The July 2025 BISP campaign aimed to reach low-income families nationwide. But was language accessibility prioritized? Let’s break down the findings.

Urdu as the Primary Language – Strengths and Shortcomings

While Urdu was the default language for SMS alerts, posters, and announcements, this left many rural communities struggling to understand critical updates.

• Pros: Urdu is widely understood in urban and semi-urban areas.
• Cons: Many rural beneficiaries, especially in Sindh, KPK, Balochistan, and Saraiki-speaking regions, faced comprehension gaps.

Regional Language Efforts – Progress but Inconsistencies

🌍 Some regions saw improvements in language accessibility in BISP, while others were neglected:

• Sindh: Posters included Sindhi translations alongside Urdu.
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Pashto voice messages and community broadcasts were used in select areas.
• Balochistan: Limited Balochi-language radio segments and printed materials were distributed.
• Saraiki Regions: Almost no official communication in Saraiki, despite millions of speakers.

Visual and Voice-Based Communication – A Step Forward

📢🔊 Where literacy was low, BISP used visual guides and voice messages to improve language accessibility:

✅ Visual aids (icons, diagrams) helped explain:

• Eligibility checks
• Payment collection steps
• Fraud prevention tips

✅ Automated voice calls in local languages were effective for:

• Payment reminders
• Scam alerts

However, these methods were not uniformly applied across all provinces.

Table 2: Language-wise Outreach Effectiveness (July 2025)

Language	Usage Level	Key Mediums	Regions Covered	Improvement Needed?
Urdu	High (Default)	SMS, Posters, Radio	Nationwide	Reduce over-reliance.
Sindhi	Moderate	Posters, Community Radio	Sindh	Expand to SMS/voice alerts.
Pashto	Moderate	Voice Messages, Local Broadcasts	Khyber Pakhtunkhwa	More consistent coverage.
Balochi	Low	Radio, Printed Materials	Select Balochistan districts	Increase translations.
Saraiki	Very Low	Rarely used	Southern Punjab	Urgent inclusion needed.

Strengths and Gaps in BISP’s Language Accessibility Efforts

What Worked Well?

✔ Bilingual materials (Urdu + regional languages) improved comprehension.
✔ Community radio and local broadcasts helped non-literate populations.
✔ Visual guides simplified complex processes.

Where Did BISP Fall Short?

❌ Inconsistent implementation – Some regions had strong multilingual support, others had none.
❌ Saraiki and Punjabi exclusion – Millions were left without accessible communication.
❌ Over-reliance on Urdu SMS – Excluded those who couldn’t read Urdu script.
❌ No centralized language policy – Led to uneven outreach across provinces.

How BISP Can Enhance Language Accessibility in Future Campaigns

📢 To ensure no beneficiary is left behind, BISP should:

Action Step	Expected Outcome
Translate all communications	Ensures Urdu and non-Urdu speakers understand key updates.
Expand voice messaging	Helps illiterate and elderly beneficiaries.
Standardize visual guides	Simplifies processes for all literacy levels.
Train staff in local languages	Improves field-level communication.
Adopt a national language policy	Guarantees uniform outreach across regions.

Final Thoughts: Language Accessibility is Key to BISP’s Success

💡 Inclusion begins with language. The July 2025 BISP campaign showed progress in language accessibility, but gaps remain. For a program serving Pakistan’s most vulnerable, every word matters—ensuring messages reach beneficiaries in the language they understand best is not just good practice, it’s a necessity.

🔹 Urdu remains vital, but regional languages must not be ignored.
🔹 Consistency is key—no province should be left behind.
🔹 Voice and visual aids bridge the literacy gap effectively.

Conclusion

The July 2025 BISP audit highlights both progress and gaps in language accessibility. While Urdu remains dominant, regional languages like Pashto, Sindhi, and Balochi saw limited inclusion, and Saraiki speakers were largely overlooked. For BISP to truly serve Pakistan’s diverse population, it must standardize multilingual communication, expand voice & visual aids, and implement a national language policy. Inclusion begins with understanding—ensuring no beneficiary is left behind due to language barriers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which languages did BISP use in its July 2025 campaign?

Mostly Urdu, with some Sindhi, Pashto, and Balochi in select regions. Saraiki and Punjabi were rarely used.

2. How did non-Urdu speakers receive BISP updates?

Some relied on voice calls, community radio, or visual posters, but coverage was inconsistent.

3. Why was Saraiki excluded despite being widely spoken?

Lack of official recognition and resource allocation led to minimal translations.

4. What worked best for low-literacy communities?

Visual guides and voice messages were effective but needed wider implementation.

5. How can BISP improve language accessibility?

• Translate all materials into major regional languages.
• Expand voice-based alerts for illiterate beneficiaries.
• Adopt a national language policy for uniform outreach.

Useful Official Links (Short Form)

1. BISP Official Website: www.bisp.gov.pk
2. Complaints Portal: bisp.gov.pk/complaints
3. Payment Updates: bisp.gov.pk/payments
4. Eligibility Check: bisp.gov.pk/eligibility
5. Latest Notifications: bisp.gov.pk/notifications