Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf said Friday that democracy is the best way to govern any country and a strong parliament will lead to strong institutions.
“The survival of this country only lies in democracy, free and fair elections and in respecting the aspirations of the people,” PM Ashraf remarked. Addressing a ceremony for the Benazir Income Support Program here Friday, PM Ashraf said that democracy was the solution to all problems. He added that the situation in the country could only be improved if the parliament and democracy were strengthened. He further said the people’s court would decide on what was right or wrong and this would be done via the ballot box.
He reiterated that the PPP would take all necessary measures to ensure that the elections were free and fair. He said the decision of the future government will only be made by the people through their votes. PM Ashraf said that election of the Chief Election Commissioner with consensus was the first step towards the holding of free elections and that the other phases will also be completed with the same spirit and intent. He said nobody should have any confusion or concerns on the matter.
Turning to the different initiatives launched by Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), the PM said that programs like Waseela Haq, Waseela-e-Sehat and insurance schemes have been launched to help the oppressed segments of the society stand on their own feet. He said the program launched in the name of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto has become a model for the entire world as it is providing financial assistance to the deserving people irrespective of their party affiliation. He expressed confidence that the future governments will continue with this program for the betterment of the poor families. He said that six million people were currently benefiting from this program and it would be further expanded after the completion of a poverty survey. Under the banner of BISP, an education program is also being launched with the financial assistance of the UK for the education of three million poor children.
The PM also stated that almost half of the population of Balochistan is benefiting from various schemes of the Benazir Income Support Program. He said the future of the country was tied to that province.
PM Ashraf said around one hundred thousand families were benefiting from this program. Later, the PM distributed checks of one hundred and fifty thousand rupees among women selected under the Waseela Rozgar Program. He also distributed debit cards and life insurance certificates among various participants.
‘Strong parliament will lead to strong institutions’
