BISP chief Senator Rubina Khalid – A trustworthy PPP loyalist

Celina Ali

Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari has reaffirmed his confidence in Senator Rubina Khalid following her recent re-election to the Upper House of Parliament, extending her tenure as the head of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).

As the leader of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Zardari—alongside party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari—personally reached out to Rubina Khalid to congratulate her on her successful return to the Senate and urged her to further advance the PPP’s mission of enhancing BISP’s impact on public welfare.

A veteran PPP member, Senator Rubina Khalid hails from a distinguished political lineage based in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Her father, the late Syed Zafar Ali Shah, was a prominent parliamentarian who served in the National Assembly during 1985–88 and again from 1993–96. Known for his close association with iconic leaders Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto, Zafar Ali Shah played a significant role in shaping Pakistan’s political landscape during critical decades.

Continuing the family’s legacy, Rubina’s brother, Syed Zahir Shah, made his mark in provincial politics, serving in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly between 2002 and 2013, and holding the portfolio of Health Minister during his later term—a period marked by notable contributions to the province’s healthcare system.

Rubina Khalid’s late husband, Rauf Khalid, was a renowned figure in Pakistan’s cultural and media sectors. A gifted filmmaker, actor, and writer, he was widely respected for his creative work, and his legacy was posthumously honoured with the Sitara-e-Imtiaz, one of the country’s highest civilian awards.

Following his untimely passing in 2010, Rubina Khalid stepped into the political forefront with a resolve to serve the country with distinction. In 2012, she was elected to the Senate from KP and successfully retained her seat in the 2018 elections.

Over her 12-year parliamentary career, Rubina Khalid has served as Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs and has contributed actively to several key committees, including those on Information, Information Technology, National Heritage, and Delegated Legislation.

Expressing gratitude for the continued trust placed in her, Senator Rubina Khalid affirmed her commitment to public service both as a legislator and as BISP Chairperson.

“It is a tremendous responsibility to be entrusted with the leadership’s confidence. I am committed to living up to their expectations,” she said. She noted that under her leadership, BISP has expanded its outreach and significantly improved the disbursement system for deserving beneficiaries across Pakistan.