'Nai Zindagi', 'Punjab Human Capital Investment Project' launched

LAHORE: Launching "Nai Zindagi" and "Punjab Human Capital Investment Project" at a cost of Rs. 53.25 billion under Punjab Ehsaas Programme (PEP), Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar said on Saturday that the PEP is the first step towards materializing the dream of "Riyasat-e-Madinah."

Under "Nai Zindagi" programme treatment facilities would be provided to the men and women suffering from acid attack besides rehabilitation of such patients. Social rights of acid attack victims should also be safeguarded besides providing them with dignified living opportunities. Under the Punjab Human Capital Investment Project, the government will provide the best health and education facilities as well as opportunities for economic development to the people in 11 backward districts of Punjab. In the first phase, the project will be launched from Muzaffargarh and Bahawalpur, whereas the scope of this project will be extended to Rajanpur, D.G. Khan, Rahim Yar Khan, Bhakkar and Mianwali in the 2nd phase. Project Human Capital Investment will be launched in Bahawalnagar, Lodhran, Layyah and Khushab in the third phase.

Addressing the ceremony, the CM said the government will bear complete treatment expenditures of the acid victims and state-of-the-art burn units have been set up at Jinnah & Mayo Hospital in Lahore, Victoria Hospital in Bahawalpur, Nishtar Hospital in Multan, Allied Hospital in Faisalabad and Holy Family Hospital in Rawalpindi. He said that interest free loans for providing skills and self-employment will be arranged to the acid affected people. Initially, Rs. 200 million has been allocated for Nai Zindagi Program.

The CM said that Electronic Medical Record (EMR) will be started in 669 Health Centres. A Conditional Cash Transfer Programme is being launched for 564,000 deserving people. He said after childbirth destitute women will get financial aid of Rs. 16000 for the two years. Waste Management System will be introduces in nine districts of Punjab. The CM further stated that new projects would be introduced in the next three years for the welfare and betterment of people of the province. "We are not rulers but servants; I am sure that the condition of the people who have been suffering from backwardness will definitely change now," he said.

Chairperson Punjab Social Protection Authority Ali Asjad Malhi briefed the salient features of Nai Zindagi and Punjab Human Capital Investment Project. Moreover, the CM in a meeting with President Sundas Foundation Muhammad Yasin Khan said that serving the ailing humanity is a great devotion and those who are doing so will be succeeded here and the life hereafter.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020