Benazir Nashonuma (بینظیر نشوونما, "growth") is BISP's programme against stunting. It supports pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and children under two in Benazir Kafaalat families with a quarterly cash stipend, specialised nutritious food and regular health and growth check-ups at Nashonuma centres. It works during the first 1,000 days of life, from pregnancy to the child's second birthday, when good nutrition matters most.
Nashonuma at a glance
| Type of support | Conditional cash transfer plus specialised nutritious food |
| Who it is for | Pregnant and breastfeeding women, and children under 2, in Kafaalat families |
| Amount per quarter | Rs 3,500 pregnant woman · Rs 3,500 boy under 2 · Rs 4,000 girl under 2 |
| Conditions | Health check-ups, immunisation, growth monitoring and use of the food provided |
| Where | 558 Nashonuma centres, including mobile units, in 158 districts (as reported by BISP) |
| Documents | Mother's CNIC, pregnancy screening, the child's NADRA FRC, the EPI card |
| Partners | Provincial health departments, WFP, UNICEF and WHO |
Why Nashonuma matters: the stunting problem
A child is stunted when they are too short for their age because of long-term poor nutrition. Pakistan's National Nutrition Survey 2018 found that about four in ten children under five were stunted. Stunting starts in pregnancy and the first two years. Its effects on health, learning and later earnings last for life, and it is very hard to reverse after age two.
Nashonuma tackles this window directly. Better nutrition for the mother during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and for the baby from birth to two, gives the child the best chance of healthy growth.
Nashonuma stipend amount
| Beneficiary | Per quarter | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnant woman | Rs 3,500 | Rs 14,000 |
| Boy under 2 | Rs 3,500 | Rs 14,000 |
| Girl under 2 | Rs 4,000 | Rs 16,000 |
These are BISP's published amounts (checked November 2026). BISP says a beneficiary can receive up to Rs 42,500 in total over her time in the programme. The stipend is paid in addition to Benazir Kafaalat, so a family with a baby girl on Kafaalat receives Rs 14,500 + Rs 4,000 = Rs 18,500 per quarter. Try your own family in the calculator on this page.
Who is eligible
- Pregnant women at any stage, and breastfeeding mothers, who are enrolled in Benazir Kafaalat.
- Children under two of a Kafaalat beneficiary. Children leave the programme when they turn two.
- The family must live in a district where Nashonuma is running. Ask your BISP tehsil office or local health facility.
Not on Kafaalat yet? Run the 8171 check by CNIC, and if there is no record, complete the NSER survey.
Documents you need
| Document | Who needs it |
|---|---|
| Valid CNIC | The mother |
| Pregnancy screening at a registered health facility | Pregnant women |
| NADRA Family Registration Certificate (FRC) | The child |
| EPI immunisation card | The child |
Register your baby's birth and get the child added to your family record at NADRA as soon as possible. Without an FRC, the child cannot be enrolled.
What families must do (conditions)
The stipend is paid when the family completes the programme's health conditions:
- Health check-ups: antenatal visits during pregnancy and postnatal visits after birth, plus health and nutrition awareness sessions at the centre.
- Specialised nutritious food (SNF): collect it and use it exactly as the health worker advises, for the mother or the child.
- Immunisation: keep the child's vaccinations on the national EPI schedule.
- Growth monitoring: bring the child for weight and height checks at least every quarter.
If a condition is missed, that quarter's stipend can be withheld. Ask the centre staff which visit you missed and book the next one.
How to register for Benazir Nashonuma
- Confirm Kafaalat status on 8171.
- Find your Nashonuma centre. Ask at your BISP tehsil office (see the office directory) or your nearest government health facility.
- Visit with your documents. Staff register the mother or child, and schedule visits.
- Attend every visit and use the food provided.
- Receive the stipend with your BISP payment in the digital wallet.
Our Nashonuma guide covers each step in more detail.
After Nashonuma
When your child turns two, Nashonuma ends, but support continues. Keep up vaccinations and health visits, and when your child starts school, enrol them in Benazir Taleemi Wazaif for an education stipend every quarter.
Nashonuma registration and food are free. Do not pay anyone at or outside a centre. Report it on 0800-26477, and check suspicious messages with our fake BISP message checker.
Frequently asked questions
What is Benazir Nashonuma?
A BISP programme that gives Kafaalat families a quarterly stipend, specialised nutritious food and health check-ups during pregnancy and until the child is two, to prevent stunting.
How much is the Nashonuma stipend?
Rs 3,500 per quarter for a pregnant woman, Rs 3,500 for a boy under two and Rs 4,000 for a girl under two.
Who can register for Nashonuma?
Pregnant and breastfeeding women, and children under two, from Benazir Kafaalat families in districts where the programme runs.
What documents are required for Nashonuma?
The mother's valid CNIC, pregnancy screening at a registered health facility, the child's NADRA Family Registration Certificate and the EPI immunisation card.
Why was my Nashonuma payment stopped?
Usually because a health visit, immunisation or growth check was missed, or the child has turned two. Ask the staff at your Nashonuma centre.
Is Nashonuma available in every district?
BISP reports 558 centres in 158 districts. Ask your BISP tehsil office whether your area is covered.
Sources
- BISP Benazir Nashonuma programme page: bisp.gov.pk
- National Nutrition Survey 2018, Government of Pakistan and UNICEF
Last updated 10 Nov 2026
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