Chiniot: Serious allegations have emerged in Chiniot where women benefiting from the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) claim that illegal deductions are being made from their financial assistance by a local retailer.

According to a report by Punjab Bureau Chief Malik Maqsood Chinioti, the deductions are allegedly being carried out by City Mobile retailer Liaqat Arain. Affected women say they are being forced to pay unauthorized charges—referred to locally as “Jaga Tax”—when collecting their BISP payments.

The women allege that they are being made to sit for hours under the scorching sun while waiting to receive their payments, only to face humiliation and forced deductions ranging from five hundred rupees or more from their allocated funds.

Sources claim that the retailer allegedly collects the women’s thumb impressions and sometimes delays payments until nighttime to make it easier to deduct money from their assistance amounts.

The victims have openly accused the City Mobile shop in Chiniot of exploiting vulnerable women who rely on the government’s social welfare program for financial support.

The protesting women have appealed to Chiniot Deputy Commissioner Ayesha Rizwan, BISP authorities, and other relevant officials to take immediate notice of the situation and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

Local residents and social activists have also urged authorities to investigate the allegations promptly to protect the rights of deserving beneficiaries of the Benazir Income Support Program.