Politicising social protection programme

It was widely believed that mistakes of the past shall be avoided in future in launching pro-poor people initiatives but redesigning of ‘Ehsas Programme’ on political affiliations dissolved expectations of the people in thin air. Now it is obvious that the programme will not be different from the last PPP government political gimmick in the shape of Benzair Income Support Programme (BISP). Out of 2.7 million beneficiaries of this apparently pro-poor initiative of social protection included 0.8 million well-of people, government officers, their spouses and government employees. When the present government excluded the non-deserving ones from the list of BISP, the decision was welcomed by the people.

Ironically, pressure of political elite has worked and entitlement for granting Kafalat Card shall now be decided on the recommendations of PTI lawmakers and ministers. Defence Minister Pervaiz Khattak and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Social Protection Dr.Sania Nishtar have been given the task to work out a plan in this regard. Dr. Nishtar was keen to use NADRA database for the implementation of Ehsas Programme on transparent basis. Giving political dimension to this programme will certainly compromise its people’s welfare feature.