CM approves projects for needy women, elderly citizens

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has approved different projects for well being of deserving women, children and elderly citizens.

He gave this approval while chairing the board meeting of Punjab Social Protection Authority (PSPA), held at his office here on Thursday.

Addressing the meeting, he said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government gives importance to welfare of the deserving communities, adding that the role of PSPA was important in that regard.

The chief minister said that the programme aimed at the welfare of senior citizens of more than 65-year age should be given final shape soon.

The CM said that a new social protection policy would be introduced in the province aiming at improving the quality of life of the disfranchised segments of society.

He said that every possible effort would be made for poverty alleviation as rehabilitation of the hapless was objective of the government.

Earlier, the meeting pondered over the proposal of launching `Hum Qadam' project for THE differently abled persons.

It was told that a special project would be started on the directions of the Supreme Court for the welfare of the transgender community and facilities like free education and healthcare, screening, legal and psychological assistance and shelter would be provided to the transgender children.

The participants were informed that the PSPA had also submitted an application to PEMRA for banning the ridiculing of transgender community in TV programs.

The meeting was told that one-window welfare counters would be set up at e-khidmat centres to facilitate the deserving women, children and the elderly. Through these counters, they would be provided different PSPA services.

The meeting deliberated on the proposal of starting `Bahimmat Buzurg' programme for the people aged more than 65 years. The proposal of giving monthly pension to the aged people was also discussed.

The CM was also apprised about the provision of healthcare facilities to the impecunious strata through health and nutrition project and provision of economic self-reliance to the rural womenfolk through human capital investment project.

The CEO of PSPA gave a briefing about the welfare projects.

Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid, head of Akhuwat Dr Amjad Saqib, MD Kashf Foundation Ms Roshaneh Zafar, vice chairman PSPA Ch Ali Asjad Malhi, spokesman for CM, additional chief secretary, chairman P&D, administrative secretaries and others attended the meeting.