DLP Report
PESHAWAR
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has announced a Rs500 million interest-free loan programme for persons with disabilities, along with a Rs700 million scholarship programme for students with disabilities, as part of its efforts to promote their economic empowerment and access to education.
Advisor to the Chief Minister on Social Welfare, Zakat and Ushr Malik Liaquat Ali Khan announced the initiatives while addressing a Khuli Kachehri (open forum) for persons with disabilities in Swabi, said a handout.
Secretary Social Welfare Sharif Hussain and other officials were also present.
Mr Khan said the Ehsaas Loan Programme had been included in the Annual Development Programme for the current financial year. Under the scheme, interest-free loans would be provided on easy terms to help persons with disabilities establish businesses and become economically self-reliant.
He said the Rs700 million Ehsaas Scholarship Programme had also been launched to support deserving students with disabilities in pursuing higher education.
The adviser further announced that the Ehsaas Umeed Card Programme would be inaugurated this week, under which 10,000 persons with disabilities would receive a monthly stipend of Rs5,000.
A similar card-based programme for orphans and widows was also being introduced, with eligible beneficiaries to receive Rs5,000 per month.
Mr Khan announced Rs50,000 in financial assistance for an elderly person with a disability and directed the relevant authorities to immediately address the issues raised by participants at the forum.
He said financial assistance would be transferred directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts to ensure transparency. Registration facilities would also be provided at people’s doorsteps, with Social Welfare Department officials visiting households to register eligible beneficiaries and collect the required information.
He also said a special quota for persons with disabilities would be allocated in the Dowry Fund to help ease financial difficulties faced by them and their families.
The adviser said the establishment of Handicrafts and Skills Centres was among his priorities, with work under way to provide women with vocational skills and opportunities for economic empowerment.
Earlier, he listened to the complaints and concerns of persons with disabilities and issued on-the-spot directives to officials for their timely resolution.
Mr Khan said persons with disabilities were an important part of society and assured that the government would utilise all available resources for their welfare, education, economic empowerment and access to dignified employment.
