KARACHI:
The news of the demise of a 3-year-old child and a woman at Benazir Kafalat Programme payment centres in Larkana and Ghotki has left me shocked and aggrieved. I learnt about these horrific incidents on social media. Poor planning, intense heat, long waiting time, and a lack of first aid resources were the reasons for these deaths. The latest announcement of a one-time cash payment of Rs9,000 through the Benazir Kafalat programme has left the payment centres crowded and in a state of turmoil. Resultantly, the recipients face a risk to their lives and well-being.
I implore the administration of the Benazir Income Support Programme and the Sindh government to immediately address the matter. More cash collection points should be established, and each centre should have adequate staff and security to provide the recipients with a smooth experience. Centres should have water dispensers and sunshades for the recipients. The concerned authorities should make surprise visits to the centres to monitor and evaluate their conditions. The process should be made more accountable and transparent to avoid corruption and other malpractices. The government should implement these changes at its earliest to avoid similar incidents in the future.
Mumtaz Ali
Johi
Published in The Express Tribune, June 27th, 2023.
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