BISP head urges apology after Rana Sanaullah's beggar remarks

Senator Rubina Khalid, the chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), has publicly called for an apology following disparaging remarks made about the initiative. While she did not explicitly name the individual, her comments were a direct response to claims by Rana Sanaullah, the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs, who recently characterized the program as one that merely encourages dependency and creates beggars. Khalid defended the integrity of the BISP, asserting that it provides essential state support to vulnerable citizens without stripping them of their dignity. She emphasized that the program acts as a vital safety net rather than a source of corruption or inefficiency. Furthermore, the senator cautioned against using the organization as a target for political rhetoric, noting that such unfounded criticism threatens to undermine years of institutional progress. She concluded by urging public figures to refrain from making insulting statements that hurt the sentiments of the millions of families who rely on the program for financial assistance.

The controversy highlights a growing tension between political discourse and the dignity of social welfare beneficiaries in Pakistan.