Pakistan Day: A commitment with equal opportunities

SEVENTY-ONE years ago, it was eventful day of 23rd March 1940 when thousands of Muslims from various parts of the sub-continent shared a dream together. To convert the dream into reality, they gathered in Lahore under the able leadership of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. It was a dream of having separate homeland for Muslims of the sub-continent, who were largely feeling marginalised and deprived both socio-politically and economically. The Pakistan Resolution was passed as a result of this dream and events unfolded later suggested that it was not an ordinary dream but a vision and a mission as well aiming at uplifting the lives of deprived Muslims in sub-continent. This was the dream, vision and mission which led a marginalised and deprived community towards creation of a nation where they were free to write their own destiny. In persuasion of this dream, the great founding father of the nation gave special importance to wellbeing of the people. It is evident from his policy speech on August 11, 1947. The Quaid said If we want to make this great State of Pakistan happy and prosperous, we should wholly and solely concentrate on the well-being of the people, and especially of the masses and the poor. Hence, we want Pakistan not only economically independent but also free from extremism, terrorism and poverty. Pakistan was envisaged as state offering equal opportunities and equity in the distribution of resources, for all specially the masses, to live a meaningful life. The history had witnessed that the politics of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and his daughter Shaheed Benazir Bhutto also revolved around the same vision as the wellbeing of people is imperative for an independent and sovereign Pakistan. Today, while confronting with unprecedented challenges, it is high time for us to revisit the idea behind the demand and creation of this great nation. Fortunately, the pursuit of translating this vision in to reality has not been abandoned yet. Instead, it has gained an unprecedented momentum by present democratic government, under the unwavering resolve and relentless support of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani. Right after the inception, the nascent democratic government, had to face multiple challenges i.e. rising inflation, mounting unemployment, and diminishing opportunities resulting in a major section of population living below the line of poverty. On the other hand, the global economic recession and exceptional food inflation triggered the apprehensions that already impoverished would not be able to sustain this economic shock and will plunge deeper into the abyss of poverty and hunger. The experts depicted a bleak scenario suggesting that this phenomenon would lead to further untoward impact upon already deteriorating socio-economic milieu in the country. Furthermore, with nation already committed in the war on terror, causing a dent to fragile national economy and consuming a considerable chunk of national resources, situation was ripe for breeding more frustration among the masses leading to apathy and vulnerability to extremism. Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) was immediate and befitting response from the democratic government to confront these looming threats effectively. In no time, the step has become a long awaited ray of hope for the millions of hopeless of this country. Due to its transparent and efficient mechanisms, BISP has emerged as first ever such initiative in the social sector of the country, which has gained support and trust of various prestigious international organisations. Similarly, unanimously approval of BISP Act 2010 from both houses of Parliament in August 2010, both houses of the Parliament demonstrates the confidence reposed in the transparency, integrity and efficacy of BISP. In this context, the first ever nation-wide targeting survey was started from October 2010 in all districts of the country, including AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan. Overall more than 60pc of the country has been surveyed while the entire process will be completed by the end of June 2011. Survey in KP is also about to be completed. The poverty scorecard survey was started in Balochistan on priority basis under Aghaz-e-Huqooq Baluchistan.