Chakwal: Chairperson BISP Senator Rubina Khalid addressed a large and vibrant gathering of women in Dharmound, Talagang, underscoring the historic contributions of the Pakistan People's Party leadership towards social justice, economic empowerment, and the protection of vulnerable communities, particularly women in Pakistan.
She recalled that the founder of the PPP, Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, had given the revolutionary slogan of "Roti, Kapra, aur Makaan" (Food, Clothing, and Shelter), a fundamental call for human dignity. Pakistan's first female Prime Minister, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, further expanded this vision by adding "Education, Health, and Employment for All," thereby cementing the party's commitment to holistic human development.
Addressing the women, Senator Rubina Khalid emphasized the critical importance of education, quoting the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who said, "Seeking knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim man and woman, even if it requires traveling to China." She stressed that an educated mother is the cornerstone of a prosperous family and a progressive society. Therefore, investment in girls' education is imperative for national development and sustainable prosperity.
Senator Rubina Khalid highlighted that during her political exile in Dubai, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had developed a comprehensive framework for the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) in alignment with the PPP manifesto, with a visionary focus on the social and economic empowerment of women. Following her tragic martyrdom, President Asif Ali Zardari honored her legacy by institutionalizing BISP as country's largest flagship social protection programme.
A remarkable and transformative feature of BISP, Chairperson BISP noted, is the formal recognition of women as heads of households, with a mandatory requirement of a national identity card (NIC) for enrollment in the programme. This policy not only brought millions of marginalized women into the fold of the national identity system but also significantly enhanced female voter registration, strengthening women's political participation and democratic rights at an unprecedented scale.
She further informed the audience about the various initiatives under BISP, including Benazir Kafalat, Benazir Nashonuma, Benazir Taleemi Wazaif (Educational Stipends), and the Benazir Hunarmand Programme (Skills Development Initiative). Through the Kafalat cash assistance program, financial ease is being provided to over ten million deserving households, while the skills development initiatives are enabling the families to engage in economic activities, fostering self-reliance and dignity.
Senator Rubina Khalid reaffirmed her firm commitment to expanding the outreach of BISP to remote and underserved areas. She announced that mobile registration teams would be deployed specifically for enrolling deserving women from distant areas of Chakwal and Talagang, and that additional Dynamic Registration Centers would be established to facilitate broader access and inclusivity.
At the gathering, other senior PPP leaders, including Malik Hassan Sardar, Salma Barkat, Zainab Malik, Ashbar Jadoon, and Sardar Azhar Abbas, also addressed the participants. They collectively emphasized the significance, impact, and transformative role of the Benazir Income Support Programme in empowering Pakistan's women and uplifting society's most vulnerable segments.