Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Shazia Marri said that the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) is striving for the welfare of underprivileged segments of society.

Speaking on the occasion of International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, Shazia Marri said that BISP aims to provide a comprehensive system of social security to the disadvantaged sections of society, especially women. “It is [launched] to bring a sustainable and positive change in the lives of deprived families by providing economic and social security and ending poverty,” she added.

According to the minister, the significance of BISP is enhanced on this day, which aims to acknowledge the efforts and struggles of people living in poverty, to provide opportunities for them to move forward, and to recognize poverty as a violation of basic human rights.

This year’s International Day for the Eradication of Poverty was celebrated with the theme of “Dignity for All in Practice”.

Shazia said the main theme of this day is “honour is universal,” that is, honour is not related to the economic condition of a person, but to his human values. She observed that in Pakistan, men and women are equally victims of social oppression due to poverty.

She said under BISP, Rs 7000 is given to deserving women on a quarterly basis through the Benazir Kafalat Programme. These women’s children from 4 to 22 years of age are given Benazir Taleemi Wazaif from Rs 1500 to Rs 4000 so that they can get educated.

Shazia emphasized that compared to boys, the educational scholarships of girls are a little higher so that parents can educate their children with relative ease.

Through Benazir Nashonuma Programme, deserving pregnant women and lactating mothers are provided with nutritious and balanced food. The nutritional needs of the new-born are met for better nourishment.

She said that the aim of such government initiatives under BISP is to build a strong society. “Today we pledge together that we will continue our efforts to eradicate poverty from Pakistan so that we can give a better future to the coming generations”, the minister added.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk