The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) government plans to introduce in coming budget a monthly cash support programme for almost seven million poor through a card to be named after its slain chairperson Benazir Bhutto. PPP co-chairman, Asif Ali Zardari said that the holders of Benazir Bhutto card would get Rs 2,000 each every month.
He was speaking at a news conference along with Secretary General Socialist International, Luis Ayala here on Friday after the conclusion of the group's Asia-Pacific committee meeting. Zardari, however, did not elaborate upon how individuals entitled for the cash support would be selected and what was going to be the mechanism of disbursement.
The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) supreme leader told a questioner the government would not end the provision of subsidy to consumers on petroleum products. It appeared to be in contrary to what one of his top associates, Finance Minister Naveed Qamar, promised to a World Bank (WB) delegation a week ago.
The subsidy on oil and other petroleum products has been a critical area for the government in the recent past. The previous management faced a barrage of criticism for its policy to cap prices for almost a year that resulted in high fiscal deficit.
MUSHARRAF: Zardari seemed to be keeping uncertainty on President Pervez Musharraf's future intact by deflecting several probing questions asking how his PPP wanted to deal with the isolated leader. "We will go to the democracy...dialogue is the best forum and is the forum of the PPP," PPP co-chairman, Asif Ali Zardari said in response to a question whether he backed calls for Musharraf's immediate ouster.
Asif spoke to media a day after speculations that the military was forcing the United States-backed leader to step down continued to do rounds across Pakistan. "Through dialogue, with patience and dignity," was his answer when asked when he wanted Musharraf to relinquish the office.
A private television reported on Thursday that Zardari had sent a message to Musharraf, advising him to walk out of power corridors till June 10. Asif did not confirm this and said: "I don't believe in countdowns."
BURMA'S DEMOCRACY TYCOONS: Zardari eulogised the struggle and sacrifices of the Burma's opposition leader Aung San Sui Kyi for the democratic rights of her people. He announced that a delegation of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and the government of Pakistan would travel to Burma to express solidarity with her.
He said that PPP's government would use all available diplomatic means to help her. He reminded that Sui Kyi children's had been kept away from their mother for last five years and demanded that she should be allowed to see her children. Luis Ayala said that gradually it was being realised all over the world that governments had to be socially responsible and those who have failed to understand had lost elections in number of countries.
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