At least 21 women hospitalised as stampede mars BISP disbursement in Karachi

Around 2,000 women gathered to receive stipend at KPT Ground; 17 fainted, one fractured her leg

KARACHI:

At least 21 women were hospitalized following a stampede on Monday after around 2,000 women assembled at the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) Ground for disbursement of stipend under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).

The stampede ensued as the women rushed to collect funds, officials told The Express Tribune, while confirming that the injured women were shifted to Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital. There has fortunately been no fatality recorded yet, assured officials.

At least 17 women fainted during the stampede and 16 of them were discharged shortly after the incident as first aid sufficed, said BISP Deputy Director Shazim. “Just one is in the hospital,” he added.

However, it has been reported that two women over the age of 50 were said to be in a critical condition. One woman was shifted to the hospital with a fractured leg. Most of the women shifted to the hospital had complained of breathing troubles.

Read BISP beneficiaries to get Rs9,000 from today

According to Radio Pakistan, the disbursement of stipends under BISP had resumed today after being suspended for two days due to intense heat.

A BISP spokesperson confirmed that the disbursement is to continue till Wednesday and will resume again on July 3 after Eid break.

These stipends are provided to nine million families across the country on a quarterly basis of Rs9,000 per eligible family.

On the directives of Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Shazia Marri, monitoring teams have been constituted to ensure transparent disbursement of BISP stipends to marginalized sections of society.

In order to redress the complaints expeditiously, BISP has also issued a toll free number 0800-26477 for the general public.