ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said Thursday the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) served no purpose other than turning people into beggars.
Speaking in Geo News News programme Capital Talk, he claimed that the programme’s data for Punjab was inaccurate and marred by widespread corruption. He said that while provinces were free to continue the programme if they wished, he did not see any tangible benefit arising from it.
Commenting on the constitutional framework, Rana Sanaullah said that if the 18th Constitutional Amendment was to be retained, the provinces would have to assume responsibility and fulfil their obligations, and they may continue social programmes like BISP.
He emphasised that devolved powers under the amendment should be matched by corresponding administrative and financial accountability on the part of provincial governments.
He said no political party would be able to secure a clean sweep in Gilgit-Baltistan, adding that three parties—the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)—would be in the main contest, while the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was “not in the electoral race.”
He said elections in Gilgit-Baltistan would be free and fair and would be contested only among parties actively participating in the electoral process. He maintained that PTI was not part of the system and, therefore, would not be in a position to compete.
Rana Sanaullah alleged that PTI had “confronted the system” and was now out of it, adding that the party had only two options: either return to the political system or continue its current stance.
He said that unless PTI rejoined the system and accepted its framework, it would remain out of mainstream politics.
He further remarked that even if PTI were to gather large crowds outside Adiala Jail, it would not change the political situation, adding that matters regarding meetings with PTI founder Imran Khan should proceed in accordance with court orders.
The adviser said that PTI should also coordinate through the channels already established with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi if it wished to address such issues.
