Launch of Rs 34 billion Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) before Eid will be an Eid-gift by the democratic government to the targeted population of 3.4 million poorest of the poor households throughout the country, said Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani here on Thursday.
The Prime Minister has approved the launch of BISP in a meeting held under his chairmanship at the Prime Minister House. Gilani also accorded approval for the funds amounting to Rs 34 billion which have been earmarked for the programme and will gradually be enhanced in future. He has approved the appointment of Managing Director, the principle accounting officer for the programme.
An Executive Board comprising Minister for Information Technology Qamar Zaman Kaira, Minister for Finance Naveed Qamar, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Salman Faruqui, Special Assistant to PM on Economic Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, Special Assistant to PM on Social Sector Shahnaz Wazir Ali and Qaisar Bengali, was also constituted to look after the matters related to the BISP. The Prime Minister was further informed that cards would be issued only to the poorest of the poor families and each household will get Rs 1000 per month through the post office.