Pakistan Peoples Party Vows to Safeguard Benazir Income Support Programme Amid Abolition Fears
Skardu, Pakistan – In a passionate address to a public gathering in Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has pledged his party’s unwavering commitment to protecting the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). The statement comes amidst growing concerns that the incumbent coalition government, led by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), is contemplating significant changes, including potential abolition, to the vital social safety net.
“It is unfortunate that the rulers want to end the Benazir Income Support Programme. We will save the Benazir Income Support Programme,” Bilawal declared, directly confronting the rumours that have circulated among the populace. He further elaborated on his party’s strategy, stating that the PPP would actively advocate for an increase in BISP funding during the upcoming budget deliberations, promising to discuss the matter directly with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
These remarks from the PPP chief follow recent reports suggesting a potential restructuring of the BISP by the federal government. Earlier last month, Kheal Das Kohistani, Minister of State for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, indicated that the government was exploring the possibility of devolving the BISP programme to the provincial administrations.
Understanding the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP)
Launched in 2008, the BISP stands as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s poverty alleviation and social welfare initiatives. Its primary objective is to provide crucial financial assistance to millions of low-income families across the nation, with a particular focus on empowering women. The programme currently supports over 10 million families, offering a lifeline to those most in need.
While Minister Kohistani later clarified that a complete abolition of the programme was not on the table, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari expressed strong reservations against the idea of devolving BISP to the provinces. He argued that such a move would, in effect, signal the programme’s demise. “Across the world, these responsibilities are undertaken by the federal government,” he asserted during an election rally in Shigar, emphasizing the federal nature of such welfare programmes globally.
Bilawal highlighted the international recognition BISP has garnered, describing it as a model that other nations aspire to emulate. He positioned the PPP’s political philosophy as distinct from other parties, rooted in a deep concern for the welfare of ordinary citizens. He credited the PPP’s historical leadership with pioneering significant welfare and empowerment measures for workers and farmers in Pakistan.
Historical Contributions to Social Welfare
The PPP chairman drew upon the party’s legacy, recalling the transformative policies of its past leaders:
- Zulfikar Ali Bhutto: Former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto is credited with policies that empowered farmers by granting them land ownership and workers by making them owners of the mills where they were employed.
- Benazir Bhutto: Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto is remembered for her efforts in creating employment opportunities for the people of Pakistan, thereby fostering economic independence and upward mobility.
Addressing Regional Governance and Development
Beyond the national issue of BISP, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also addressed the specific constitutional and governance challenges faced by the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region. He suggested that granting the region powers analogous to those enshrined in the 18th Amendment to the Constitution would be instrumental in resolving many of its long-standing issues. He further pointed to the PPP leadership’s past introduction of subsidies and reforms that significantly benefited the residents of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Pakistan’s Role in Regional Peace Efforts
Shifting to international affairs, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari expressed optimism regarding the ongoing peace initiatives in the Middle East. He conveyed hope that the efforts being undertaken by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, would yield positive results. “Every Pakistani is praying for CDF Munir’s efforts to bear fruit,” Bilawal stated, underscoring the nation’s collective support for these diplomatic endeavours. He added that Pakistan’s commitment to peace initiatives is a source of national pride.
Reflecting on the broader impact of regional conflicts, Bilawal noted that the Muslim world, in particular, is bearing a significant burden from the ongoing war in the Middle East, which has exacerbated economic difficulties for its populations.
