Anti-terror drive hits development hard: PM

ISLAMABAD (APP) Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Friday said transparent and timely disbursement of funds of Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) has proved an effective measure of the government to provide relief to the helpless and poor people.
Talking to ministers and MNAs at the PMs Chamber in the Parliament House, the Prime Minister said the effectiveness of Benazir Income Support Programme has been acclaimed at world forums, and international bodies are considering replicating the programme in other poverty-stricken regions of the world.
The Prime Minister directed to ensure equitable distribution of funds only to the deserving persons and priority be accorded to the widows and helpless women.
The Prime Minister said the government is discharging its responsibility of looking after the poor segments of the society as an obligation of its mandate.
He said the government has initiated a number of development projects particularly in the backward regions of the country to ameliorate the living standard of the people and accelerate the economic activity and potential of those areas.
He said due to the essential expenditure on account of campaign against the saboteurs and terrorists, the government could not launch many other projects to address unemployment and energy needs.
However, he said, after restoring the law and order situation which has already substantially improved, additional resources will be made available to support development activities at larger scale.
Ministers and Members of the Parliament appreciated the Prime Ministers keen interest in the uplift of backward areas and pro-poor economic policies.
They also apprised the Prime Minister of progress on projects concerning their respective ministries and constituencies.
Syed Naveed Qamar, Minister for Privatization, Mian Raza Rabbani, Advisor to Prime Minister, Farzana Raja, Chairperson BISP, Hamidullah Jan Afridi, Minister for Environment, Hina Rabbani Khan, Minister of State for Economic Affairs, Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Advisor to PM on Finance, Nawabzada Ghanzanfar Ali Gul, Political Advisor to Prime Minister, Senator Nayyar Hussain Bokhari, Dr Arbab Alamagir, Minister for Communication, Mrs. Asma Arbab Alamgir, MNA, Syed Khurshid Shah, Minister for Labour and Manpower, Nazar Muhammad Gondal, Minister for Food and Agriculture attended the meeting.