KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly was on Monday informed that over 28,500 employees of the provincial government were illegally taking benefit from the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).

As many as 28,549 provincial government’s employees whose spouses were illegally enlisted as beneficiaries in the BISP were identified and their verification through the respective departments was in progress, Education Minister Sardar Shah told the house.

In reply to a call attention notice by Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan member Dr Fouzia Hameed, he said that the BISP had in 2018-19 identified 821,000 government employees across the country whose spouses were getting money from the BISP.

He said that the BISP had referred the list of Sindh employees to the provincial government and it was in verification phase.

Minister vows to recover amount following Nadra verification

He said that the amount they illegally received from BISP would be recovered after verification from the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra).

The MQM-P member had asked the education minister if the employees of the education department including their spouses were receiving money through BISP and what steps had been taken to curb the illegal activity.

In response to another call attention notice by the PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) member Sajjad Ali, Home Minister Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar said that police were taking effective measures to curb the menace drugs and narcotics.

The SIC member from Lyari drew the attention of the home minister that drugs and narcotics were being sold openly in his constituency in connivance with the Kalakot, Chakiwari, Baghdadi and Kalri police who were allegedly taking bribes from drug traffickers.

The home minister said that 195 drug traffickers and peddlers were booked in 160 FIRs during the current year and 190 suspects in the cases were arrested by police in Lyari.

Drug trafficking on the rise across country, says Sharjeel

Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon, who also holds the portfolio of excise, taxation and narcotics control, said that drugs were a major challenge for our society at present.

“Unfortunately, drug trafficking is on the rise across the country, and drug use is becoming fashionable,” he said, adding that use of cocaine was seen as a status symbol in elite society.

He said that besides cocaine, marijuana and heroin, the biggest challenge was now was crystal meth, also known as ‘ice’.

The minister said that actions against drugs were ongoing, and awareness efforts were also in progress.

“It is encouraging that the Sindh Assembly passed the anti-narcotics bill by consensus,” he said and added that whenever drug-related issues were discussed, both government and opposition members in the assembly demonstrated a serious commitment.

He also sought assistance of lawmakers and media to identify drug-related issues. He said that parents could always play the most important role in preventing drug abuse among children.

“Parents should not turn a blind eye. It is primarily their responsibility, followed by schools and colleges, to immediately investigate any changes in a child’s behaviour,” he emphasised.

Later, the house was prorogued.

Published in Dawn, November 5th, 2024