The Committee which met here under the chairmanship of Senator Prof. Sajid Mir said that PBM is already running a number of projects for the welfare of persons with disabilities so the centres currently working under Director General Special Education, would be given to PBM in order to improve their functioning.
The Committee also took notice of the vacant post of member Sindh and member Islamabad Capital Treaty/Azad Jammu Kashmir and Northern Areas in the governing body of Pakistan Bait-ul-Maal.
Managing Director Pakistan Bait ul Maal Zamurd Khan has informed the Committee members of the Prime Minister has the authority to appoint members of governing body and recommendations have already been forwarded but due to political engagements, final decision has not been taken yet.
Secretary Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education KB Rind informed the Committee that after devolution of Ministry of Social Welfare under the 18th Amendment, the PBM would remain intact and would be attached to any other ministry.
The Committee members appreciated projects of Pakistan Bait ul Maal and took special interest in Sweet Home Pakistan and suggested that the orphan houses running under different departments would also be established on the pattern of Pakistan Sweet Homes.
Giving details of future projects of Pakistan Bait ul Maal, Zamurd Khan said that PBM would establish 20 new Pakistan Sweet Home centres in different parts of the country till April. It also plans to establish these centres in each district at a later stage, he added.
He said that medical centres would also be established for treatment of Hepatitis throughout the country and 'Musafir Khana' (Passenger-Inn) would be set up in hospitals under PBM to facilitate the attendants of the patients who suffer a lot due to lack of proper arrangements for them.
Zamurd Khan also informed the Committee members that currently PBM is providing free wheel chairs, white cane, hearing aid, artificial limbs and financial aid to the persons with disabilities under its project 'special friends of PBM'.
The PBM is also running 'Lungar Project' and 'Provision of uniform' project for the students of institution for special persons.
Senator Shirala Malik, Senator Mrs. Suriya Amiruddin, Senator Mrs. Farah Aqil, Senator Molana Muhammad Khan Sherani, Senator Naeem Hussain Chutta, officials of Ministry of Social Welfare and media persons attended the meeting.