PPP leader availing BISP benefits

Several party members have got their families registered with the programme, says an official

PESHAWAR: Some members of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have been found depriving the poor of their right by utilising the benefits of the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) illegally.

It has been found that family members of the PPP leader from Upper Swat, Muhammad Shahi Khan, have been receiving BISP stipends. Shahi had got his family members registered with the programme, launched in 2008 with the aim to enhance the financial capacity of poor people.

Talking to The Express Tribune, a BISP official said that several other party members had got their families registered with the programme, using their influence.  He confirmed that Shahi’s five family members were receiving the stipend.

However, Shahi said he was not aware of any of his family members being registered with the programme.

When contacted, an official of the BISP Regional Office said that some influential people had started utilising the BISP benefits through unfair means. He said that an investigation would be launched to find out the culprits and their cards would be blocked.