HYDERABAD, March 5: A group of Pakistan People’s Party activists on Wednesday announced formation of “Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Welfare Society”, a social welfare organisation, in recognition of the sacrifices of the party’s slain chairperson for the betterment of the poor.

The chairperson of the society Ms Sheeba Zardari said at a press conference at the press club that the best way to pay homage to the great leader was to continue struggle for completing her mission to which she had devoted her entire life.

Ms Zardari said that the society planned to work on a five-point agenda, which included promotion of education, provision of healthcare to the poor, teaching of arts and crafts to the rural women, enforcement of human rights, rule of law and justice and serious attempts to unite intellectuals and citizens against the black customs maligning the society.

She said that the society would create funds to spread education in every nook and corner of the country, which had a literacy rate less than 50 per cent.

Even in the 21st century, which was characterised by hi-tech development in each sector the rural population had to travel on donkey carts and bullock carts to reach a health centre or hospital. The situation forced an overwhelming majority of rural population to go to quacks, she said.

She said that it was the need of the hour to set up basic health units in each village where medical staff should remain present round the clock.

There was also a dire need for mobile health teams, which should visit each village at least once a month, she said, adding that each village should have also have a maternity home.

Ms Zardari said that the rural artisans were being exploited by exporters who paid them less for their masterpieces and sold them at higher prices in the international market.

The society would establish training centres to help artisans and craftsmen get adequate price for their hard work, she said. The society would try to ensure the enforcement of rule of law and justice to the underprivileged, she said.

A civilised society takes for granted protection of their basic human rights but even this fundamental right was denied to the poor in Pakistan, she remarked.

Referring to black customs like karo-kari and tribal disputes resulting in loss of precious lives, Ms Zardari said that the society would try to unite intellectuals and citizens on one platform to fight against these social evils.