The Federal government has increased the Benazir Income Support quarterly stipend to Rs8,500.

The government announced the decision on Wednesday and said that the over Rs73 billion have been allocated to meet the higher amount.

The stipend was previously set at Rs7,000.

Stipend payments for nine million beneficiaries have already begun and authorities have announced that eligible children with over 70% attendance in school will also recieve a stipend.

Beneficiaries from Punjab, Sindh, KP and Balochistan will be able to receive their due amounts from Habib Bank and or BISP centres. Beneficiaries from AJK and GB will be able to draw their money from Bank Alfalah.