Bilawal slams removal of 800,000 people from Benazir Income Support scheme

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Friday hit out at the PTI government for removing more than 800,000 people from the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), terming the move a grave cruelty on the part of the government, Dawn news reported.

Speaking at a public gathering held to mark the death anniversary of former prime minister at Liaquat Bagh - the site of her assassination - in Rawalpindi, Bilawal said the country was facing a danger and it was the duty of the PPP "to complete the mission of Benazir Bhutto".

"Benazir was a chain that united the federation of Pakistan, but this was not acceptable to her enemies," he added.

PPP co-chairman and former president, Asif Ali Zardari, also addressed the gathering via a video message that was broadcast on a giant screen at the venue.

Speaking from a hospital bed, Zardari criticised the government for leading the country into its current political and economic "turmoil". He said the present government "has nothing to do with the problems being faced by the country's poor".

He expressed hope that PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto would be able to solve these problems very soon and "will lead the nation".

The venue and roads leading to Liaquat Bagh were decorated with PPP flags and pictures of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Benazir and Bilawal. The Rawalpindi bench of the Lahore High Court on Thursday ordered the district administration to provide all facilities and security for the event. In addition, the PPP had also made its own security arrangements.

The court also directed the administration and police to provide Bilawal with adequate security as soon as he arrives in the city.

The party had announced the rally at Liaquat Bagh. However, the district administration denied the party permission, citing security threats to Bilawal.

PPP city president Babar Sultan Jadoon then filed a petition in the LHC challenging the decision of the district government. On Thursday, the LHC granted the party its permission to hold the public meeting.

"After 12 years, the PPP is holding a public meeting and it is an attempt to dispel the perception that the party would not be able to arrange a jalsa in Rawalpindi," senior party leader Sherry Rehman was quoted as saying in Dawn.

"It will be a sad moment for Bilawal Bhutto to visit the site where his mother was assassinated.

"It will also be difficult for all jialays (diehard party workers) to gather at the site and recall the tragic day," she said.

ALSO READ:

• Remembering Benazir Bhutto 12 years after her death

• WORLD
• Pakistan