Swati terms BISP as root cause of corruption

ISLAMABAD: The sacked Minister for Science and Technology Azam Swati, on Tuesday termed the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) as a root cause of corruption facing the country. He termed the program as "bogus" and "corrupt."

The Swati's remarks which has further heated up the widening gap between his party JUI-F which already quit the coalition with ruling Pakistan Peoples Party.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, JUI-F leaders Azam Khan Swati and Abdul Ghafoor Hyderi said that their party could consider an in-house change if supported by the main opposition parties, PML-N and PML-Q.

He said that countries do not move forward on the basis of charity, but rather through advancements in science and technology, higher education and vocational training. "Government's decision to cut down the budget for higher education by Rs30 billion to facilitate the BISP may benefit some people, but on the whole, will greatly harm the country", he pointed out.

Earlier talking to media at airport, sacked minister said that he would present more proof regarding corruption in Haj affairs in the Supreme Court on January 6, 2011. He demanded that real corrupt persons involved in Hajj scam should be held. He said he will clarify all issues regarding Haj corruption and his termination in court.

Swati was removed from the post of minister for science and technology after he had alleged former minister of religious affairs Hamid Saeed Kazmi to be involved in the Hajj scam, which according to Interior Minister Rehman Malik included corruption worth Rs1.6 million.

Speaking at the occasion JUI-F leader Senator Ghafoor Haideri also blamed the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) for failing to fulfill its promises with its coalition partners.

Citing an example, Haideri said the PPP had gone back on its promise with the PML-N for the restoration of judges.