Islamabad: Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Senator Rubina Khalid, visited several areas of District Buner and Swat severely affected by the recent floods, including Pattedara and Qadir Nagar, where 26 members of the same family tragically lost their lives during a wedding ceremony due to the sudden disaster.
During her visit, Senator Rubina Khalid met a young man named Junaid, who lost seven members of his family, including his mother, sister-in-law, two nephews, and two sisters. His mother was a registered BISP beneficiary. On this occasion, the Chairperson immediately directed the Director General (DG) BISP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to collect complete details of such affected families so that they could be assisted under a special relief package.
Later, the Chairperson BISP visited the Gokund area and offered Fateha with the bereaved families. She also met a blind elder who lost eight to nine close relatives in the tragedy and is now left with only two young children. Senator Rubina Khalid personally extended financial support to this family.
The Chairperson also visited the Pir Baba shrine, which was completely submerged. Similarly, she visited a local Gurdwara, met with members of the Sikh community, expressed solidarity with them, and shared their grief.
Senator Rubina Khalid urged rescue teams and NGOs present in the disaster-hit areas to play a more active role in relief efforts. She emphasized that while extending help, no element of show-off should be displayed, and the dignity of affected families must be protected at all costs.
Locals also handed over to the Chairperson a list of nearly 100 deceased persons. She directed immediate verification of this data and instructed that these victims be included in upcoming relief packages.
Furthermore, Senator Rubina Khalid sensitized the locals about the dangers of environmental pollution. She highlighted that plastic bags and bottles do not decompose and contribute to climate change. To reinforce this message, she herself participated in a cleanliness drive, collecting plastic waste alongside the locals and BISP staff. The Chairperson stated that the government's responsibility is not only to respond to current disasters but also to ensure a safe and healthy environment for future generations.
Senator Rubina Khalid visited the Press Club Swat, where a Mobile Registration Vehicle (MRV) was deployed by BISP. Flood-affected BISP beneficiaries were present there, and their recertification and survey were being conducted, while the registration of new eligible women was also underway. The Chairperson BISP herself stood and personally monitored the survey and registration process of several women.
Senator Rubina Khalid also spoke to the media, visited the medical camp, and met with the doctors and volunteers present there. She handed over medicines that she had brought along and appreciated their dedicated services.
Senator Rubina Khalid appealed to philanthropists and well-off individuals to come forward, help the flood victims, and extend their maximum cooperation. She emphasized that the self-respect of the affected families must not be compromised and that the assistance mechanism should be arranged while preserving their dignity.
Chairperson BISP reaffirmed that 'we are with the victims in every difficult time.' During her three-day visit, she went to all the areas damaged by the cloudburst, met the affected families, and shared in their grief. In Swat city, she also visited the affected houses and reassured the families that BISP always stands firmly by their side.