Zardari vows to wipe out cancer of terror

ISLAMABAD - President Asif Ali Zardari reaffirmed on Thursday that the scourge of terrorism would be rooted out from the country, saying the government was not scared of the terrorists.  

“I, the government and the people of Pakistan are not afraid of terrorists. We all are steadfast to fight and eradicate them,” the President said at a cheque distribution ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr for Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).

He launched Benazir Income Support Programme worth Rs 34 billion for providing some financial relief to three million people of the country.  

“I am pleased to launch the scheme on the name of great leader Benazir Bhutto Shaheed. I wish Shaheed Mohtarma was alive today to have launched the programme with her own hands,” he stated. The President handed over cheques to the deserving families. Prime Minsiter Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Chairman Senate and parliamentarians attended the event.

Families with monthly income less than Rs 6000 could benefit from the scheme and they would be paid Rs 2000 after every two months. The programme to benefit as many as 3 million people would be implemented transparently and above political affiliations, Zardari announced.

Commenting on the challenges being faced by the government, Zardari said, “Nations often face crises but strong nations confront these with courage and boldness. The people should have full faith in the present government, which is having the ability to take out the country out of the crises.”

The President said that the Benazir doctrine was aimed at bringing peace and security to the people of Pakistan.