KARACHI: Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety and Chairperson BISP Shazia Atta Marri said that government is cognisant of challenges being encountered by people, particularly lower and middle-income class due to present economic situation as various measures were being taken for easing their difficulties.

Talking to media at inauguration of Benazir Nashonuma Centre under Health and Nutrition Conditional Cash Transfer Programme to prevent stunting growth at Sindh Government Hospital Shah Faisal Colony here she said that an enormous number of children were facing issue of malnutrition and stunting around country and BISP in collaboration with World Food Programme has initiated programme.

Under it 364 Nashonuma centres would be opened in 119 districts across country, where pregnant women registered with BISP would be provided facilities of nutrition-rich food supplements, quarterly medical checkups, cash assistance and health guidance, she said.

She said that project was initially piloted in least developed districts of Thatta and Sujjawal and later expanded to 15 underdeveloped districts of country. Shazia Marri said that Sindh government is also contributing in efforts and it was not only supporting BISP’s Nashonuma programme, but it has also initiated programme that would cover those women who were not registered with BISP.

Responding to a question on serious economic challenges, she said that PDM wore thorny crown only in best interest of country and nation and coalition government was committed to resolving issues but later on unprecedented floods aggravated situation.

Shazia Marri said that previous PTI government “Devastated economy, made extravagant expenditures on luxuries and committed corruption of billions of rupees”.

On a question about blasphemous acts in Sweden, she condemned act and urged European Union to take appropriate measures to prevent such acts which not only hurt sentiments of Muslims but all democratic and politically aware citizens all around world. Meanwhile, she expressed sorrow over martyrdom of citizens in road accidents and in blast in Peshawar.

Sindh Minister for Social Welfare Sajid Jokhio said that malnutrition was reason for death of number of children in province, particularly in Tharparkar district and BISP’s programme would help in addressing issue.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 31 2023

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