Tuesday, 18 Aug, 2009 4:26 am
ISLAMABAD : Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Farzana Raja Monday said that United States would provide financial assistance worth $175 million to BISP under Kerry Logger Bill annually. She said that while addressing a press conference here and underlined that US government is interested to support the BISP that aimed to alleviate poverty from the country.Terming her recent visit to the United States successful, she said it will prove a milestone for the investment in Pakistan and pave the way for foreign investment in the country in different sectors. Farzana said that BISP was appreciated for its transparent procedure and all the UN officials hailed Pakistani government for its large scale poverty alleviation programme.She said that UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon has appreciated the progress achieved by the programme and emphasised the objectives empowering women and reducing poverty under the BISP. In a meeting, she informed the UN Secretary General that the transparency was the hallmark of the programme and sought international assistance for further improving transparency of the programme.The UN Secretary General termed BISP as the model for sharing the experiences with other countries, she added. The Chairperson also gave the comprehensive briefing to the President of the World Bank, Zoellick who terming BISP as an agent for social revolution in Pakistan, expressed interest in supporting BISP in the plans to introduce accident insurance as well as vocational training programmes for the beneficiaries.President Centre for Strategic International Studies (CSIS) Dr Jhon Hemre also discussed issues relating war against terror, reconstruction and rehabilitation of IDPs, poverty alleviation and women empowerment in a meeting with the chairperson. She said that President High Land group Dick Oneil showed intention for investing in communication and information technology sector in Pakistan for which he has planned to visit Pakistan soon.The Chairperson announced that the government would provide free of cost gas and electricity to those consumers who utilise only 200 units per month. Initially, the beneficiaries will be 2.2 million families registered under BISP and more families will be included having consultation with Ministry of Water and Power. The pilot project of poverty survey will be completed by the end of this month that will identify more deserving families and the beneficiaries would reach to five million vulnerable families, she added.Answering to a question to counter corruption in disbursement of funds, she said that government is doing its best to avoid any mishandling of money and strict action has taken against the workers of 12 post offices who were involved in corruption.Moreover, the Benazir smart card will be issued in those districts where the poverty survey will have been completed, she informed. Appreciating the role of media, she said that media is playing very positive role for creating awareness among the people about the programme.-PR
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