Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety and BISP Chairperson Shazia Marri on Friday said the government was committed to provide social protection to the women of Balochistan by making them economically strong so that they could play their role in the country’s development.
The Benazir Nashonuma Programme centers would be opened in every district of the province from next month, besides provision of 25 vehicles to the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) to enhance its outreach to the needy women across Balochistan, she added.
She was addressing a function held here under the auspices of the non-governmental organization Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) to distribute interest free loan cheques among women from different parts of Balochistan.
Member of the National Assembly Rubina Irfan, ex-senator Roshan Khurshid Barocha, former members of Balochistan Assembly Rahila Hameed Durrani and Ghazala Gola, and leaders of political parties also attended the ceremony.
Shazia Marri expressed her resolve that Balochistan would be given top priority in the plans of her ministry. Balochistan being the largest province of Pakistan, must be given due attention, she added.
“Efforts are being made to make Balochistan socially strong so that the sense of deprivation of its people is removed,” she said, adding the people should have the right to the resources of their province.
She said the way in which work was being done at the community level with the people of Balochistan was commendable. A strong and thriving Balochistan would guarantee a strong Pakistan. The minister said the BISP was the largest social security programme in Asia, which had benefited 80,000 families. Some 0.2 million children were benefiting from its Education Programme, she added.
Shazia Marri said along with giving a sizable amount for the education of children, stipends were also being given to boys and girls.
