MIRPUR (AJK) - Distribution of Benazir Smart Cards among the deserving people would be initiated by June next year, disclosed Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Chairperson Farzana Raja.
Addressing a joint press conference with AJK Prime Minister Ch Abdul Majeed here the other day, she said that in response to the demand of AJK premier, President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani instructed to bring the refugees of Jammu and Kashmir into the net of BISP as well.
She said that all refugees, including those hailing from Jammu and Kashmir, were part of this one (family) and the Pakistani government and people would continue supporting their brethren. Categorically refuting allegation being levelled by various quarters, BISP Chairperson Farzana Raja said that no fund had ever been transferred from reconstruction or any other department to the BISP. Ensuring transparency in the programme, she announced that Benazir Smart Cards would be introduced to ensure free and fair distribution of funds from June 2012. She said that any family having special persons would be included in the programme. “We have received 5,433 applications from refugees in which 4,970 were recommended and others are being scrutinised. All these families will benefit the full-fledged programmes of BISP,” she said. Farzana Raja said that the program was for all Pakistanis without any party affiliation. She said World Bank, DFID, USAID and all International donor agencies hailed the credibility and transparency of the programme. She said that all donors were granting funds for this programme. “Over one million children will be schooled through the DFID grant of 350 million Dollars. This shows the government priority towards the education sector which was the vision of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed, education for all,” said Farzana Raja. Commenting on the role of media in AJK she hailed the development of media in the state and said that journalists had played a pivotal role in creating awareness.
AJK Prime Minister Ch Abdul Majeed lauded, on the occasion, the decision of including refugees in the BISP. He thanked President Asif Zardari and PM Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani for the gracious decision.He appreciated the role of Farzana Raja for the prosperity of poor masses. He said that the PPP government would continue the struggle for development and prosperity of people. AJK Finance Minister Ch Latif Akbar, Information Minister Syed Bazil Ali Naqvi, Education Minister Mian Abdul Waheed and senior officials were also present on the occasion.