LAHORE, Feb 18: A sum of more than Rs2 billion has so far been distributed among destitute women all over the country under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).

The programme was launched at Larkana by distributing Rs2,000 each to some 500 women in December last year, BISP Managing Director Muhammad Sher Ali Khan told journalists at the inaugural ceremony of provincial directorate-general office of the scheme at

New Muslim Town on Wednesday.

“Pakistan is among the 29 countries where such a programme has been launched for poverty alleviation. This is for the first time that a programme has been launched in the country that will directly benefit the oppressed sections of the society,” he said.

To a question about non-availability of application forms, the MD said the same had been with the senators and MNAs. “The parliamentarians identify vulnerable sections of the society, the National Database and Registration Authority verifies particulars of the applicants and the Post Office delivers the money to the women at their doorstep.