Aseefa Bhutto Urges Govt to Utilize BISP for Flood Relief

Member of the National Assembly Aseefa Bhutto Zardari has urged the government to channel flood relief efforts through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), warning that sidelining it would be an act of negligence.

In a post on X, Aseefa pointed to the severe devastation in Punjab, where more than four million people have been affected by the floods. Families have been uprooted, crops wiped out, and communities left struggling to survive.

She emphasized that BISP remains the fastest and most reliable platform for delivering aid, as it already has verified data of deserving households and the infrastructure to reach them swiftly. According to her, it is the only state institution capable of providing large-scale, immediate support.

Aseefa cautioned the government against delays or inefficiency, stressing that excluding BISP at such a critical time would deprive victims of much-needed assistance. She called for urgent action to ensure aid is disbursed transparently and directly through the programme.

Meanwhile, PPP Senator Rubina Khalid defended BISP after a political leader branded it a fraud. Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, she said such remarks insult over 10 million families who depend on the programme.

Rubina clarified that BISP is not affiliated with any political party and has consistently helped millions, especially in crises. She recalled that in 2022, BISP provided Rs. 70 billion in emergency relief to flood-affected families, with around 2.8 million households receiving Rs. 25,000 each.

She underlined that BISP serves the people without political bias and offers hope to society’s most vulnerable. “Calling it a fraud is not only wrong but also deeply offensive,” she remarked.

Rubina backed PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto’s demand that all flood relief should go through BISP to ensure transparency and fairness. She stressed that the programme has a credible system for aid distribution and should once again be trusted.

She also cautioned against turning flood relief into a political battle. “Victims need assistance, not political scoring,” she said, urging parties to act responsibly and work together in the public’s interest.

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