Govt working to mitigate sufferings of the poor: PM
ISLAMABAD, AprIL 14 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said on Thursday that the government was working in accordance with the manifesto of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to mitigate the sufferings of the poor. The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) initiated by the government, is the largest programme in social sector to provide cash assistance to the vulnerable, he added. The Prime Minister was talking to Ms. Farzana Raja, BISP Chairperson, who called on him here at the PM House.
Appreciating the hardwork and dedication of the officials of BISP in efficient disbursement of Rs. 78 billion to the deserving families at their doorstep, the Prime Minister said that the BISP was playing a useful role in the campaign for the eradication of poverty from the country.
Referring to the Poverty Survey process initiated by BISP, the Prime Minister instructed the BISP Chairperson to initiate Poverty Survey process in the Federally Adminsitered Tribal Areas (FATA) as well so that the benefits of this programme could also reach the deserving over there.
He reiterated the government’s resolve to bring the less developed areas of FATA at par with other developed areas.
Ms. Farzana Raja apprised the Prime Minister of the various components of BISP, including Waseela-e-Haq and Waseela-e-Rozgar programmes, initiated to provide free financial assistance and technical training respectively, to the beneficiary families.
She also informed the Prime Minister that Benazir Smart Card and Mobile Phone Banking had been launched as an alternate payment mechanism to ensure timely delivery to the poor at their doorstep with full efficiency and transparency.
She also mentioned about the Life Insurance and Health Insurance initiatives of BISP.