The Government of Punjab, in collaboration with the Punjab Employees Social Security Institution (PESSI) and the Bank of Punjab (BOP), has officially launched the Punjab Benazir Mazdoor Card 2026. This initiative is a transformative step towards the digitization of labor welfare, providing a secure “smart card” to industrial and commercial workers. It functions as both a formal identity card and an ATM-enabled debit card, connecting laborers to essential healthcare and financial services.
By integrating workers into a transparent digital system, the scheme ensures that minimum wage protections are met and that social grants reach the hands of hardworking families without any middleman.
Benefits of the Benazir Mazdoor Card
The card acts as a gateway to a comprehensive social security net for the worker and their entire family:
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Free Healthcare: Access to top-tier medical treatment at 23 PESSI hospitals and over 250 dispensaries across Punjab.
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Educational Support: Monthly stipends and scholarships for the children of cardholders, including free MBBS education for selected high-achievers.
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Financial Grants: Eligibility for marriage compensation (wedding grants), death grants, and sickness benefits.
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Retail Discounts: Exclusive discounts ranging from 5% to 45% at more than 150 partner retail outlets across the province.
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Digital Salary Payments: A secure way to receive wages directly into a bank account, ensuring full transparency in salary disbursement.
Eligibility Criteria for 2026
To qualify for the Benazir Mazdoor Card, applicants must meet the following official requirements:
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Employment Status: Must be a worker employed in a registered industrial or commercial unit (e.g., factories, shops, or private firms).
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PESSI Registration: The worker must be officially “secured” by their employer through the Punjab Employees Social Security Institution.
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Residency: Must be a permanent resident of Punjab with a valid CNIC.
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Age Limit: Generally between 18 and 60 years.
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Informal Workers: Recent updates aim to include domestic workers and construction laborers through a separate registration process via the PSPA.
Step-by-Step Apply Process
Unlike other welfare schemes, the Benazir Mazdoor Card is primarily employer-driven. Individual workers cannot apply entirely online without their employer’s involvement.
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Employer Registration: Your employer must register your name and details on the PESSI portal.
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Data Sync with BOP: Once registered with PESSI, your data is automatically shared with the Bank of Punjab (BOP) to create a specialized account.
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Biometric Verification: The worker will receive an SMS notification to visit the nearest PESSI facilitation center or BOP branch for biometric (thumbprint) verification.
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Card Issuance: After successful verification, the smart card is printed and delivered to the workplace or can be collected from the bank.
Latest Updates for January/February 2026
The 2026 phase has introduced several new features to enhance the card’s utility:
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Mandatory Minimum Wage: The card system is now used to track whether employers are paying the government-mandated minimum wage.
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Expansion to Small Towns: PESSI is establishing new mobile facilitation units to reach workers in smaller tehsils.
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Integrated with 8171: The card is being linked with the national 8171 database to provide “double benefits” to extremely low-income labor families.
Important Contact Information
For complaints regarding card issuance or non-registration by an employer:
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PESSI Helpline: 0800-73774
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Official Website: pessi.punjab.gov.pk
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Head Office: 3-A, Gulberg-V, Jail Road, Lahore.