Punjab chief minister Maryam Nawaz has categorically rejected the use of BISP to compensate the flood-affected people in Punjab.
Her outright rejection came hours after PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari suggested using BISP data for relief.
Bilawal’s sister Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari also made the same proposal yesterday. She posted on X: “Over 4 million people have been impacted by the unprecedented floods in Punjab. The Benazir Income Support Programme is the fastest and most effective way to distribute relief. Not utilizing one of the state’s key organizations, which has both the data and the capacity to deliver assistance, would be irresponsible.” Her tweet appeared a day after Punjab information minister Azma Bokhari’s press conference. Ms Bokhari announced that the Punjab government would issue relief cards to the flood victims on their personal names using its own resources. She also rejected the idea of using BISP.
Maryam on Thursday said no to using BISP while addressing electric buses launching ceremony in Dera Ghazi Khan in southern Punjab.
Punjab CM questioned: “How could those who suffered losses of lakhs in the floods be provided relief from a program that aims to distribute money in thousands.”
BISP:
Launched in 2008 , the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) is Pakistan’s national social safety net program. It provides direct cash transfers to the poorest and most vulnerable households, primarily empowering women.
Tussle between PML-N and PPP:
Marred by allegations of corruption, politicisation, and nepotism, the BISP is widely seen as a PPP initiative. Many believe the Pakistan People’s Party uses the program for political gains, particularly in Sindh. Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman and other parties have frequently levelled corruption allegations against BISP. A recent World Bank report stated that poverty ratio in Pakistan has increased. JI Emir took a jibe at BISP. He said if the billions of rupees lost to corruption (through BISP) over the past 17 years had been used for IT training of youth or other productive purposes, the situation would have been entirely different.
Governments in Pakistan have a history of staging show-offs in the name of flood relief activities. The country’s past is marred by corruption scandals and misuse of flood aid. Political interests linked to the current row over using the BISP for relief. Punjab’s ruling party the PML-N (Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz) and the PPP locked in a popularity contest against the PTI. They desperately want public support in Punjab. And for this, both the parties seek control over relief activities. While the PPP holds no power in Punjab, it appears eager to claim credit by associating the aid with Benazir’s name through BISP. The PML-N would never want it.
