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.

Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto returned to her homeland despite serious threats to her life as she was determined to work for the downtrodden and poor segments of society and bring true democracy in the country.

"We are not afraid of death as we believe that death is guardian of life," he said. About the present economic situation, the President forcefully said Pakistan would not go bankrupt.

"Pakistan is not going bankrupt. It is not a limited company that will go bankrupt. We are negotiating with international community to address the situation," he said and urged the business community to pay no heed to such rumours.

Zardari said he had full understanding that due to the present economic situation, there was a sense of depression and despair amongst the people.  However, he assured that the government was taking effective measures to address the situation on a war footing.

On Kashmir issue, the President said there was no ambiguity between the position and the philosophy of Pakistan Peoples Party and that of the country. "Those who know Pakistan Peoples Party have no doubt that the Party's position on Kashmir dispute remains unchanged."

The President described the holding of in-camera joint session of the Parliament on country's security situation as a positive step towards strengthening democracy and democratic institutions.

Talking about the Benazir Income Support Programme, he remarked:  "This is the first programme in the country that will directly benefit the oppressed sections of the society directly."

He said the recommendations of the parliamentarians would be kept in consideration to identify the vulnerable sections of the society.

The President said the government had also directed Nadra to place all information about the financial transactions on its website so that the people may verify that the money was being given to the really deserving, with complete openness.

The President termed the scheme that would cover around 14 per cent of the population in the low-income group across the country, including FATA, Northern Areas and Azad Jammu Kashmir.

He said special focus of the scheme would be on the remote areas of Balochistan, Chitral, North and South Waziristan, Kohistan and Tharparkar.

Minister for IT and Kashmir Affairs Qamar Zaman Kaira, who is also looking after the BISP said the Benazir Income Support Program would be the largest direct cash grant scheme in country's history and all Members of Parliament, irrespective of party affiliation would be provided equal opportunities to recommend deserving families.

A unique feature of the scheme was that the payment would be made directly to the female head of the family and the amount would help in providing funds for around 25 days of wheat flour for the family.

He said the Benazir Income Support Programme was the third largest allocation in the current budget and constituted 0.3 per cent of the GDP. Families with monthly income of Rs 5000 per month would be given Rs 1000, which was amounting to a 20 per cent increase in their current purchasing power.

The funds would be disbursed through Pakistan Post and would be delivered by Postal Money Order at the recipients' address, so that they did not have to incur any cost or trouble in obtaining the amount.

He said under the scheme each parliamentarian would be allocated 8,000 forms which would be distributed by MNAs and Senators in their respective constituencies. The forms would be verified by the Union Councillor as well as the area MNA.

The parliamentarians would collect the completed forms and mail these to NADRA in pre-addressed envelopes provided by BISP.