Acting President Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, while addressing a ceremony in connection with wheelchairs distribution ceremony in Multan, stated that empowering women is fundamental to achieving sustainable development. He emphasized that women hold a vital position in society and declared that a woman is the true leader of every family. He specifically mentioned about Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) which is benefiting large number of families and supporting those with meagre opportunities of livelihood.
Mr.Gilani underlined that the Pakistan Peoples Party has completed several major development projects in South Punjab including the Kot Mithan and Head Muhammad Wala bridges as well as the Cadet College. He stated that these initiatives reflect the party’s long standing commitment to strengthening the region.
Mr. Gilani appreciated the welfare work being carried out in the region by the Church of Jesus Christ and noted that 150 wheelchairs were distributed among persons with disabilities affected by floods in collaboration with the Society for Special Persons. He reiterated that the Benazir Income Support Programme was launched to empower women and was widely acknowledged at the international level with thousands of women benefitting from it.
The Acting President noted that when these incentives were introduced an overwhelming majority registered themselves, thereby enabling women to directly receive the benefits of the programme. He stated that the initiative did not merely provide temporary assistance or create dependency but was designed on such a broad and transparent scale that it earned international recognition. He added that during his official visits abroad other countries frequently sought briefings on the BISP model due to its effectiveness and credibility.
He further remarked that the programme operates on the principle of dignity and self respect similar to the compassionate approach adopted by charitable institutions. He reaffirmed that the technical component of BISP ensures that at least one individual from each beneficiary family is provided with employment so that they transform into a permanent asset for their household rather than remain dependent.
Gilani observed that helping the downtrodden is a shared responsibility of all and this event reflects a true spirit of the philosophy behind humanitarian work.