PPP to double BISP stipend, says Bilawal

ISLAMABAD - PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto has said the PPP would sweep the upcoming general elections with the support of the people of Pakistan and form the next government once again to develop the country in accordance with the vision of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto.
Bilawal said her mother Benazir Bhutto had laid down her life for the cause of democracy and for the people of Pakistan, adding PPP would continue to offer sacrifices for democracy and welfare of the masses. He said the government had successfully completed its five-year term under the courageous leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari and expressed the hope that the party would win the 2013 polls with a thumping majority.
The products of the Zia martial law that dream of victory shall have to bite the dust once again because the masses have not forgotten their murky past,” said Bilawal and added her mother Benazir Bhutto always stood like a rock against dictatorships and went to the extent of laying down her life for the cause of democracy. He asserted the PPP would continue to serve the downtrodden sections of the society as it had done in the past and would never leave them in the lurch. Bilawal said after returning to power, the PPP would expand Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) to complete its second phase during next five years. He announced that after winning the elections the PPP government would double the monthly stipend from Rs 1,000 per month to Rs 2,000, which was being paid to millions of the downtrodden families across Pakistan.
Bilawal said under the second phase of BISP, more local and international institutions, including banks, would be taken on board as partners and its scope would be widened, introducing more income support schemes for social and economic uplift of the common man. He added Waseela-e-Haq, Waseela-e-Rozgar, Waseela-e-Taaleem initiatives were the part of BISP’s long-term strategy to help out the poorest of the poor in the country. 
The PPP chairman said the 18th Amendment and the restoration of the unanimously adopted 1973 Constitution were one of the party government’s landmark achievements which had won the hearts of the people.
He also praised President Asif Zardari for surrendering his powers and authority to the elected parliament, which further strengthened democracy in the country.
Bilawal said: “PPP is the real heir to the legacy of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto. My mother gave the best years of her life while protecting her father’s legacy. She confronted the worst moments at the hands of General Ziaul Haq who had sent my grandfather to the gallows. She kept her father’s party and his mission alive with great steadfastness. She gave her life for the preservation of democracy and the people of this country acknowledge her great sacrifice. Let me assure the followers of Shaheed Bhuttos that I will protect their legacy till my last breath while carrying forward their mission, vision and philosophy, being the leader of the largest and most popular political party of the country, which has roots in all the provinces. We shall live and die for the cause of Pakistan as was done by my mother Benazir Bhutto and my grandpa Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

ePaper - Nawaiwaqt