The Benazir Income Support Programme held a ceremony at its headquarters in Islamabad to mark the 73rd birth anniversary of former prime minister Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.

The BISP Benazir Bhutto birth anniversary ceremony was attended by Chairperson Senator Rubina Khalid, Additional Secretary Dr. Asmat Nawaz, senior officials and staff of the organisation. The event was held earlier than scheduled in view of the sanctity of Muharram-ul-Haram.

Speaking at the ceremony, Senator Rubina Khalid paid tribute to the political services and sacrifices of Benazir Bhutto. She said leaders such as Benazir Bhutto and Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto are remembered for their role in public service and democratic struggle.

Senator Khalid said BISP represents the state’s responsibility to provide social protection to underprivileged citizens. She said criticism of the programme should not undermine the right of poor families to social assistance.

She said constructive criticism and reform-based suggestions were welcome, but calls for shutting down social protection institutions were unacceptable.

The BISP chairperson also expressed concern over derogatory remarks about more than ten million deserving families registered with the programme. She said describing vulnerable citizens as beggars was regrettable and ignored the state’s duty to support citizens through protection, education, healthcare and social security.

Senator Khalid said BISP was undergoing a reform process to improve transparency and service delivery. She highlighted the new payment system, re-certification process and skills development initiatives as key parts of the programme’s reform agenda.

She said BISP had received international recognition and would be further strengthened to better serve deserving families. She added that the welfare of more than ten million beneficiary families remained a shared responsibility.

The chairperson reaffirmed that deserving families would not be left alone and said efforts would continue to support them through skills training and economic empowerment.

She also stressed the importance of teamwork for the successful implementation of the new payment system.

During the ceremony, documentary videos were screened to pay tribute to Benazir Bhutto. At the end of the event, Senator Rubina Khalid, along with senior officials and staff, cut a cake to mark the birth anniversary.

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