Father of the Nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, whose birth anniversary is being observed today, was a dynamic leader, a great political thinker and strategist, a believer in democratic values and above all one of the great nation-builders of modern times.
He followed a highly disciplined life, had an immaculate character, was bestowed with the ability to forecast the results and had the analytical mind to approach any problem in an objective and solution oriented manner. Political acumen of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah could be ascertained by the fact that he not only created a nation out of an amorphous and subjugated minority, but also succeeded in establishing a nation-state for them. Jinnah never resorted to undemocratic or unconstitutional means, rather he was a democrat to his very core.
At a public meeting in Dacca on 21 March, 1948, he made it clear that the government's aim and objective should be to serve the people and devise ways and means for their welfare and betterment. He said "It is in the hands of people to put the government in power or remove it from power."
The great founding Father of the Nation gave special importance to wellbeing of the people. In his policy speech on August 11, 1947, he said that "there is no other solution. Now what shall we do? Now, if we want to make this great state of Pakistan happy and prosperous, we should wholly and solely concentrate on the well-being of the people, and especially of the masses and the poor.
Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah dreamt about Pakistan with equal opportunities and equity in the distribution of resources, for all, especially the masses, to live a meaningful life. Following his footsteps, the first democratically elected Prime Minister of Pakistan Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and his daughter Shaheed Benazir Bhutto sacrificed their lives for realisation of his dream.
But the pursuit did not end, rather it has gain an unprecedented momentum under the unwavering resolve and relentless support of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. We are all aware of the fact that in 2008 both exogenous as well as indigenous factors affected Pakistan's economy severely. Unprecedented hike in international prices for oil and food coupled with the uncertainties of the political transition in the country debilitated the already unstable socio-economic structure of Pakistan.
Due to this economic crisis, shocks were felt at almost every front of the economy. Consequently, nascent democratic government of Pakistan had to face the challenges of rising inflation, mounting unemployment, and diminishing opportunities for the major sections of society resulting in a major section of population living below the line of poverty.
The global economic recession and exceptional food inflation triggered the apprehensions that already impoverished would not be able to sustain this economic shock and will plunge deeper into the abyss of poverty and hunger. With nation already committed in the war on terror, causing a dent to already fragile national economy and consuming a considerable chunk of national resources, situation was ripe for breeding even more frustration among the masses leading to apathy and vulnerability to extremism.
Masses, which were so dear to our Father of the Nation, were the worst hit by all these internal and external factors. Here, I would quote the golden words of Quaid-e-Azam in regard with statud of women in society. The great Quaid said "I have always maintained that no nation can ever be worthy of its existence that cannot take its women along with the men. No struggle can ever succeed without women participating side by side with men. There are two powers in the world; one is the sword and the other is the pen. There is a great competition and rivalry between the two. There is a third power stronger than both, that of the women."
The guiding principles of the Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the vision of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and the commitment of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto prompted present democratic regime for an urgent and direct relief for the vulnerable and marginalized segments of society to give them hope and means to live. Benazir Income Support Programme is one of such steps, which has become a long awaited ray of hope for the millions of hopeless of this country. The BISP is first ever such initiative in the social sector of the country, which has gained support and trust of various prestigious international organisations as transparency, objectivity and impartiality have been the hallmark of this programme.
The only selection criterion, for a deserving family to be registered with the BISP, was the information provided by these families pertaining to their resources. To improve the procedure further and establish utmost transparency, the BISP has recently started a countrywide door-to-door poverty survey aiming to enroll maximum number of deserving families in an objective and scientific manner and again the entire process is absolutely on non partisan basis.
To serve the downtrodden segments of society, the BISP has introduced various initiatives like: monthly cash grants, long-term interest-free financial assistance and offering the vocational and technical training opportunities to the under-privileged sections of society. These initiatives are highly significant to break the myth that people belonging to these helpless strata are not capable enough to initiate and run their business or to acquire the skills to change their fate.
Truly, Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) is the fulfilment of the dream of Jinnah; practical manifestation of the lifelong quest of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto; and a tribute to the vision of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto. As far as the service to poor masses and making Pakistan a social welfare state is concerned, Quaid-e-Azam Day provides us an opportunity to reaffirm our resolve and commitment towards these marginalized segments of society and to continue with our struggle to uplift and improve their lives. By making BISP a sustainable success we can contribute significantly in realisation of the dreams of our great Quaid.
(The writer is Federal Minister/Chairperson, Benazir Income Support Programme.)
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