Aghosh Program Payment Increased To Rs 38,000 | Punjab PSPA 2026 Update

The Aghosh Program has officially become one of the most generous maternal welfare schemes in Pakistan. Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has announced that the total Aghosh stipend for eligible women has been raised to Rs 38,000, up from the earlier amount of Rs 17,000. This means a pregnant woman who completes all the required health steps can now receive more than double the previous support, all linked to her own and her baby’s health milestones.

The program is run by the Punjab Social Protection Authority (PSPA) under the Punjab Human Capital Investment Project (PHCIP). It is specifically designed to reduce maternal and infant mortality, encourage hospital deliveries, and improve early childhood vaccination. By increasing the amount, the government wants to make sure no mother skips a checkup or chooses an unsafe delivery because of money problems.

The Aghosh Program is a conditional cash transfer scheme. This simply means that money is given step by step as a mother completes specific health activities, instead of in one lump sum. The aim is to motivate women to take care of their pregnancy and the baby’s first two years properly. Payments are made directly through digital wallets or PSPA approved channels, with no agents or middlemen.

Currently, the program is active in 13 selected districts of Punjab, mostly chosen because of higher rates of maternal and child health challenges. If you live in any of the following districts and meet the eligibility, you can register:

• Muzaffargarh
• Kot Addu
• Bahawalpur
• Rajanpur
• Dera Ghazi Khan (DG Khan)
• Taunsa Sharif
• Rahim Yar Khan
• Bhakkar
• Mianwali
• Bahawalnagar
• Lodhran
• Layyah
• Khushab

If your district is not on this list, you cannot apply yet. The government is expected to expand the program to more districts in the next phase.

This is one of the most important details that many websites do not explain clearly. The Rs 38,000 amount is not given all at once. It is divided into stages, and you receive each portion only after completing the linked health milestone. Here is the full official breakdown:

Health Milestone / Stage	Payment Amount	When It Is Released
First registration at health center	Rs 2,000	On initial enrollment at BHU, RHC, THQ, or DHQ
Antenatal checkups (4 visits)	Rs 12,000 total (Rs 3,000 each)	After each verified pregnancy checkup
Safe delivery at government hospital	Rs 10,000	After successful institutional delivery
Child’s first checkup	Rs 2,000	Within 15 days of birth
Birth certificate (CRC registration)	Rs 5,000	After registering child at Union Council
Complete child vaccination	Up to Rs 7,000	After full immunization including measles
Total maximum benefit	Rs 38,000	Spread across all milestones

This step by step model means a mother who completes every milestone gets the full Rs 38,000. Those who miss certain steps will receive only the portion linked to the steps they completed.

To qualify for the increased Rs 38,000 payment, you must meet all of the following conditions:

• You are a pregnant woman, breastfeeding mother, or mother of a child under 2 years of age.
• You are a permanent resident of one of the 13 selected Aghosh districts of Punjab.
• Your household belongs to a low income family (usually verified through NSER or BISP database).
• You have a valid CNIC issued by NADRA.
• You agree to attend regular maternal and child health checkups at government health facilities.
• Your registration is done at a recognized health facility (BHU, RHC, THQ, or DHQ hospital).

Registration is done in person at a government health facility because the Lady Health Visitor (LHV) needs to confirm your pregnancy or maternal status biometrically. The process is straightforward:

1. Visit your nearest Basic Health Unit (BHU), Rural Health Center (RHC), Tehsil Headquarter Hospital (THQ), or District Headquarter Hospital (DHQ) in one of the 13 districts.
2. Carry your original CNIC and any available pregnancy related medical record.
3. Meet the Lady Health Visitor (LHV) at the maternal and child health desk.
4. The LHV will enter your details in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system.
5. Your biometric thumb verification will be done for security.
6. You will receive an Aghosh Card or registration confirmation slip.
7. From this point onward, each completed health milestone will trigger your next installment.

After registration, you can check your payment status anytime through the official PSPA payment portal. There is no need to visit the health center repeatedly just to ask if your money has come.

• Open your browser and visit payment.pspa.gop.pk
• Enter your 13 digit CNIC number without any dashes or spaces.
• Enter your registered mobile number.
• Type the captcha code shown on screen.
• Click Submit. Your payment status will appear as Credited, Pending, or Rejected.

Check Payment Through Helpline 1221

If you do not have internet access, dial 1221 from your registered mobile number. This is the official Punjab Social Protection Helpline. A representative will help you check your payment, eligibility, and registration status in your own language. The helpline runs 24 hours a day.

In 2026, most Aghosh payments are disbursed through digital channels for safety and transparency. Once your installment is released, you can collect it through:

• JazzCash or HBL Konnect authorized agents (with biometric verification).
• Bank Alfalah designated branches in your district.
• PSPA approved Ehsaas centers in your area.
• Direct mobile wallet balance, viewable in your JazzCash or Easypaisa app.

Always bring your original CNIC. The system requires biometric verification to prevent fraud. If anyone asks you for a service fee or commission, refuse and report them to 1221.

Some eligible women may also qualify for additional financial support under the Khud Mukhtar (self reliance) component of the Aghosh Program. This is offered in special cases to encourage long term financial independence for the mother through small enterprise support or skills training, depending on her circumstances. To know if you qualify, ask the LHV during your registration visit or call helpline 1221.

Important Safety Tips: There is no WhatsApp registration for the Aghosh Program. Any WhatsApp link claiming to enroll you is fake. Aghosh services, including registration and payment, are 100% free. Do not pay any agent who promises faster approval. This is a scam. Only use payment.pspa.gop.pk and pspa.punjab.gov.pk as official portals. Never share your CNIC PIN or biometric data with strangers.