MUZAFFARGARH: A number of women beneficiaries of Benazir Income Support Programme on Tuesday staged a protest and blocked the road for hours against the closure of the BISP centre in Shah Jamal. The centre had been closed due to a lack of available retailers and necessary facilities.

Following the closure, the affected women took to the streets, blocking main road.

Meanwhile, Alipur Assistant Commissioner Mukarram Sultan conducted a surprise inspection of the Mauza Khangarh BISP centre. He found that retailers and their accomplices were illegally deducting money from beneficiaries’ accounts.

According to the assistant commissioner, two beneficiaries, Zainab Mai and Saira Bibi, reported receiving Rs10,500 each, but Rs700 had been deducted by the retailer. A case was registered against retailer Wasif and his accomplices. While Wasif fled the scene, one of his accomplices was arrested and taken into custody.

Dawn has learnt that this illegal deduction of funds was a widespread practice among retailers at the BISP centres, with the administration and BISP officials failing to ensure full payments to the beneficiaries. Some women alleged that the retailers had told them that the administration was involved in this embezzlement, exploiting the poor.

The protesting women also criticised the lack of basic facilities at the BISP centres, such as seating, drinking water, security, and shaded areas.

They have appealed to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to visit Muzaffargarh and address the issues faced by BISP beneficiaries.

Earlier, Additional Deputy Commissioner for Revenue Dr Abida Fareed had issued strict instructions to assistant commissioners to conduct surprise visits to BISP centres to ensure full payments were made to women beneficiaries.

During her visits to various centres, she reported that the women appeared satisfied with the arrangements.

ROBBERS KILL MAN: Robbers killed one person on offering resistance during a bid to snatch his motorcycle. The incident took place within the jurisdiction of Shah Jamal police station when a 24-year-old citizen, Junaid, was returning home with his cousin after attending a Milad event at Noori Masjid.

On their way, they were intercepted by robbers who attempted to snatch Junaid’s motorcycle. When Junaid resisted, the robbers opened fire, fatally wounding him. He died on the spot.

Shah Jamal police have registered a case against the unknown culprits under sections 302 and 394 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

According to the police, Junaid’s cousin Idrees, who was injured during the incident, reported the crime to the authorities.

The police have shifted Junaid’s body to hospital for a postmortem examination.

District Police Officer Syed Hasnain Haider has taken notice of the incident and instructed the Shah Jamal station house officer to ensure early arrest of the perpetrators.

Published in Dawn, September 25th, 2024