MINGORA: A large number of women here on Monday staged a protest demonstration against blocking of their Benazir Income Support Programme cards, demanding of the government to immediately unblock their cards and release the payments.

Led by Shah Izat, Rehana and Farzana, the protesting women started their march from Nishat Square and gathered in front of the Swat Press Club holding placards inscribed with their demands. They also chanted slogans against Marvi Memon, the BISP chief, and the provincial coordinator of the programme, Nasim Akhtar.

On the occasion, Shah Izat alleged that Nasim Akhtar promised at a function here last month in the presence of Marvi Memon that the blocked cards would be unblocked on Feb 1, and each woman would be paid Rs25,000. But, she lamented that the promise was not fulfilled. She said the poor women frequented the BISP offices in Swat but returned disappointed. The protesting women demanded an inquiry into the matter and release of the withheld payments.—Correspondent