Bilawal gives titles of houses to flood victims

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MIRPURKHAS:

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Friday visited several villages in Kot Ghulam Muhammad tehsil-Waghreeji Kolhi Para, Ghulam Mustafa Leghari-and the village of Khenbri in Shujaabad tehsil, where he met flood-affected families who were provided new houses under the Sindh People's Housing Scheme. He also distributed property ownership documents to the residents, especially women.

Speaking on the occasion, Bilawal congratulated the recipients and said the Sindh government had provided them strong, secure homes so that they would no longer suffer during future floods or heavy rains as they had in the past. Addressing the women present, he said:

"We are giving you not just a house, but full ownership rights to the land and property, in your names. No one will be able to take your home or land away from you now." At the house of a flood victim named Lachman, Bilawal sat on a floor mat and chatted with the family's young son, Bhagwana, asking him how he liked his new home. He praised the women of the household for decorating the home beautifully and personally congratulated Lachman and his wife.

Bilawal personally handed over the legal ownership documents to the women and reiterated that the homes and the land now legally belonged to them. He expressed delight at seeing how the families had decorated and painted their homes from the inside.

"I came here specifically to see how you've rebuilt and beautified your homes. We've constructed many houses already and will continue to do more so that people won't face housing issues in the future," he added.

In one home, a woman, overcome with joy, told Bilawal, "We've only ever seen you on TV-now you're in our house. We can't believe it!" Bilawal responded warmly, "You endured difficult days. We promised we'd build you a home, and today I'm here to fulfill that promise."

Pointing to the woman's infant son, Dilip, he said, "This house is legally yours now. I hope one day you'll pass it on to your son when he grows up."

During the visit, Bilawal interacted informally with residents, admired their homemade decorations, and praised those who had painted their homes themselves. He said, "We're fulfilling the promise of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto-'Roti, Kapra aur Makaan'-and also our commitment to empowering women."

Speaking to a large gathering of women in a nearby marquee, Bilawal said his mother was the first woman Prime Minister of Pakistan, and the PPP believes women should have equal economic strength as men.

"Before the Sindh People's Housing Programme, only two percent of houses in Sindh were registered in women's names. That's why we're building the world's largest housing scheme-20 lakh homes-where the ownership titles are being issued to women. These assets will not only provide shelter but empower women economically," he said.

He thanked the women for their longstanding support of the PPP, adding that it is due to their trust that the party has been able to work for the people of Sindh, especially women's welfare.