QUETTA: The Balochistan government has formally approved the launch of the Benazir Kissan Card in the province to provide financial assistance to farmers and has finalised an agreement with HBL Konnect for its implementation.

Under the agreement, farmers’ bank accounts will be opened through HBL to ensure the transparent disbursement of financial assistance. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Balochistan Secretary Agriculture Noor Ahmed Pirkani, which was attended by Director General Agriculture (Extension) Masood Baloch and other officials.

The meeting was informed that the provincial government would provide financial assistance to farmers from time to time in the form of subsidies. These subsidies will cover the purchase of seeds, fertilisers, agricultural pesticides and farm machinery.

To facilitate farmers, a dedicated webpage titled “Kissan Balochistan” has been developed, allowing farmers to register themselves online. In addition, registration facilities are available at the offices of Deputy Directors Agriculture (Extension) in the relevant districts and through a mobile application named the Benazir Kissan Card.

Officials clarified that farmers who fail to complete the registration will not be issued the Benazir Kissan Card. The meeting was informed that so far, 80,000 farmers have been successfully registered across various districts of Balochistan. However, in districts where the registration process has been slow, the Secretary Agriculture has ordered action against the concerned deputy directors.

Published in Dawn, January 19th, 2026