BISP beneficiary dies in a stampede

PPP chairperson must take notice of stipend-distributing procedure, say beneficiaries

KARACHI: An elderly woman, said to be a beneficiary of the Benazir Bhutto Income Support Programme (BISP), died after being injured in a stampede in Kamber-Shahdadkot district.
Bhanul Mugheri, 60, went to get her stipend and was knocked unconscious in a stampede at the counter of Omni Franchise, the company which distributes the amount among BISP beneficiaries.
She was taken to a Larkana hospital by locals in a critical condition where she succumbed to her injuries. BISP beneficiaries protested against the procedure of giving the amount to the poor and demanded Pakistan Peoples Party Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari take notice of the situation.
"The stipend of Rs5,000 is credited in our account after a few months and the officials deduct Rs500 per transition. This was Bhanul's third visit to confirm whether her money was deposited or not. Instead of getting the money she lost her life," decried Mustafa Mugheri, a relative of Bhanul. Another person, Mohammad Musa, who lives in Warrah Town, said that his wife was also one of the beneficiaries of BISP but officials have stopped her stipend since nine months.
"Local officials do not release the amount until we grease their palms," he lamented.