LHC seeks PTI govt response on renaming BISP

“Will it not be a violation of the basic essence of BISP if its name is changed?” asks LHC CJ Muhammad Qasim Khan

LAHORE: Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice (CJ) Muhammad Qasim Khan has sought a reply from the federal government by July 22 on a plea challenging the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government’s conduct of renaming Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) to Ehsaas Programme.

“Will it not be a violation of the basic essence of BISP if its name is changed?” the top provincial judge questioned adding that the court does not want any hurdle in financial relief granted to poor masses through a stay order.

A citizen had filed a petition seeking directions from the LHC to restrain the government from changing BISP’s name.  The petitioner’s counsel implored the court that late Benazir Bhutto wanted to do something for the needy masses to make their lives easier and to alter the name of the support programme named to honour her wishes is deplorable.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Qamar Zaman Kaira filed a civil miscellaneous application before the court to become a party in the proceedings.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 25^th, 2020.