The government has obtained a total of 260 million-dollar loan from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank to support the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). According to the data available with Business Recorder, a total of 200 million-dollar loan in September, 2009 was acquired by the government from the IDA for budgetary support under "Social Safety Net Development Policy Credit (SSN DPC).

The government has disbursed 158.91 million dollars out of 200 million dollars among the people so far. Similarly, as many as 60 million dollars was obtained in July, 2009 form the International Development Association as Technical Assistance for Benazir Income Support Programme, of which no amount has so far been disbursed. This World Bank loan to Pakistan is interest-free and the amount will be repaid in 35 years, including 10 years of grace period.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2010