IT is unfortunate that regime changes in Pakistan are as disruptive as they tend to be.

       Ideally, the transfer and takeover of state-run programmes and projects, especially those that concern public welfare, from one set of office-bearers to another shouldn’t entail uncertainty over their operations and future. Yet, we have seen new governments time and again try to shut down, upend or totally gut even some of the better initiatives taken by their predecessors, often for completely political reasons. This is a great disservice to our people.

       With the PTI government out and the new ‘unity government’ now in control, similar concerns have arisen regarding the future of the social uplift and common welfare projects started by the previous government.

       Shortly before the PTI was voted out of power in the Assembly, there were reports that a number of hospitals had stopped providing services to patients wishing to avail their facilities through the health card scheme launched by the PTI government. Though the reason officially cited was non-payment of dues to vendors, the uncertainty over whether the programme would be continued by the new government had invited a strong reaction from the public.

       Read: Health card is great

       The facility covers a considerable range of medical and surgical procedures and insures each family to the limit of Rs1m each year, making improved healthcare much more accessible to a large segment of the population than it otherwise would be. It is, therefore, understandable why citizens want it retained and ideally even expanded to cover more of the population.

       Similar apprehensions, even fake news, were shared widely on social media alleging that the new regime was moving to shut down the homeless shelters and soup kitchens started under the Ehsaas programme launched by the PTI government.

       Setting aside the political goodwill these initiatives may have created for the former government, they have also had very tangible benefits, particularly for the most vulnerable segments of the population. These and similar initiatives should be continued by the new government as well as future governments.

       Read: PM Shehbaz directs reinstatement of BISP beneficiaries expelled from programme by PTI govt

       Successive governments retain the right to expand or streamline the programmes however they feel is wise — something the new chief of BISP, Ms Shazia Marri, has spoken of — but the end goal should always be to increase the public good.

       It is well understood that the new government does not have much fiscal space. In the circumstances, the temptation will be strong to forgo the welfare of those who may not be able to make much noise about it. However, it would be a grave mistake to disregard the needs of our most vulnerable sections of the population just as an economic storm gathers overhead.

       The government must balance its books, but not at the expense of the vulnerable. Any uncertainty on this matter should be dispelled and the government must commit to continuing the social safety programmes already in place.

       Published in Dawn, April 29th, 2022