Changing name of BISP to Ehsaas Program: LHC directs law minister, others to submit reply

LAHORE: Lahore High Court Chief Justice Muhammad Qasim Khan on Wednesday directed the law minister, secretary law and the attorney general of Pakistan to take notice of changing name of Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) to Ehsaas Program and inform the court within fortnight.

Earlier, Deputy Attorney General (DAG) Malik Israr on a query replied to the Chief Justice that a policy had been framed for Ehsaas program. The CJ found the law officer's response unsatisfactory.

DAG Israr however told the court that he was not conversant with the case as he appeared in place of DAG Asad Ali Bajwa who previously had represented the government. The CJ said that the law officer should have informed the court earlier and asked him to now explain his position before the department.

PPP-Punjab president Qamar Zaman Kaira being first chairman of the BISP had filed the petition. He pleaded that the program was initiated under a legal cover after parliament passed a law namely "Benazir Income Support Program Act 2010". He said the incumbent government illegally changed BISP to Ehsaas Program and had not presented any bill in the parliament to amend the law. He asked the court to set aside government's move to change BISP name and restrain it from making any illegal change in the law.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020