DERA ISMAIL KHAN, May 09: Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Chairperson Rubina Khalid on Saturday said Pakistan had earned further global recognition and respect after “Marka-e-Haq”, adding that countries unfamiliar with Pakistan were now praising its role and achievements at the international level.
She was addressing a Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) female workers convention organized here at a local marriage hall, which was attended by a large number of female party activists. Among those present on the occasion were Chairman National Assembly Standing Committee on Defence Sardar Fatehullah Khan Miankhel, MNA Naima Kanwal, and MPAs Ahmed Karim Kundi, Ashbar Jadoon, Meher Sultana, and Shazia Tahmash.
Rubina Khalid said the people of Pakistan were proud of the armed forces for their professional capabilities, which led to India’s defeat last year. She said the foundation of Pakistan’s strength was laid by PPP founder and former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who made the country an atomic power.
She urged senior party workers to educate younger generations about the sacrifices and contributions made by the PPP for the country.
Addressing women workers, she called on them to support the PPP to ensure an empowered and independent future for women and underprivileged communities.
Criticising the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, she said the entire country was moving towards development except the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which she described as being under an “inefficient government”. She added that political differences were part of democracy, but all political parties should stand united when it came to Pakistan’s integrity and national interests.
Speaking on the occasion, Sardar Fatehullah Khan Miankhel congratulated the nation on “Marka-e-Haq” and said that India had orchestrated the Pahalgam incident to blame Pakistan. He said Pakistan had once again defended itself effectively and enhanced its image globally.
He paid tribute to the army chief and armed forces for what he called their role in defending the country and said the entire nation stood behind its armed forces. Referring to regional tensions, he was of the view that Pakistan had also emerged with respect and recognition during the Iran-US conflict due to its diplomatic and strategic role.
Fatehullah Miankhel said several major development projects in Dera Ismail Khan, including the Chashma Right Bank Canal and Gomal University, were achievements of the PPP government under former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
He added that the BISP was the vision of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, which was implemented after her assassination by President Asif Ali Zardari.
MPA Ahmed Karim Kundi said the day was a matter of pride for the nation as Pakistan’s armed forces had thwarted the enemy’s plans and brought recognition to the country across the world. He praised the role of women workers in PPP activities and said women’s polling stations had recorded stronger support for the party in the last elections compared to men’s polling stations.
Highlighting the success of BISP, he said around 150,000 cards had been distributed among deserving people in Dera Ismail Khan alone, through which billions of rupees were being provided in financial assistance.
MPA Shazia Tahmash said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was facing more challenges than other provinces and urged people to vote for the PPP in the upcoming local government elections for the province’s development and prosperity.
MPA Meher Sultana also congratulated the nation on “Marka-e-Haq”. She credited Field Marshal Gen. Syed Asim Munir, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and President Asif Ali Zardari for the country’s success.
She also said BISP had provided dignity and financial support to poor women and reflected the vision of Benazir Bhutto.
