Gilani visits suicide site, appeals for help to Needy
'Pakistan Times' Punjab Bureau

LAHORE: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday appealed to the well-off segments of society inlcuding members of parliament, nazims and philanthropists to provide all possible financial help to the poor people in their respective areas.

He was talking to journalists during his visit to the house of Bushra Bibi in Makkah Colony, the 26-year old woman (26) who along with her two minor kids - Muhammad Zubair (5) and Saima (3) - had committed suicide due to desperation through poverty.

The woman had thrown her kids and herself on the railway track in front of a running train near the 7-Up level crossing on April 12.

The Prime MInister was accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Dost Muhammad Khosa.

Gillani said, “I request the leaders and members of all political parties, MNAs, MPAs, nazims and philanthropists to provide financial support to the poor and needy in their respective areas, to avoid recurrence of such tragic incidents”.

He said the government will develop and initiate programmes aimed at eliminating poverty and unemployment from the country. To a question, he said the government will also streamline the Zakat Fund to ensure its provision to the deserving segments of the society.

While offering condolence to the family of the deceased, the Prime Minister expressed profound grief over the tragic suicide incident. He gave Rs 200,000 cash to Bushra Bibi’s heirs, besides announcing that the marriage expenses of her two younger sisters will be borne by the government.

He also promised provision of a permanent residence for the bereaved family.
The present residence of Bushra Bibi is a one-room rented premises. The widower Muhammad Ramzan is a welder by profession and earns Rs 6,000 per month.

Ramzan disclosed that he and his wife always had good relations, and she had never complained about his meagre earnings, however, she did wish her kids to receive a good education, and used to teach the children at home.

“I don’t know what clicked in her mind that day, to take such a horrible step,” he added.

Bushra Bibi’s father Muhammad Arif and mother Khalida Bibi also agreed with him, and observed that maybe the thought of poverty had affected her more than they realised, and was a factor behind her suicide.●