PESHAWAR: The Provincial Council for Social Welfare, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has proposed increasing its annual grant-in-aid from Rs8 million to at least Rs200 million to meet its growing responsibilities and expand welfare activities. The proposal was discussed at the 34th meeting of the council held at the office of the Adviser to the Chief Minister on Zakat and Ushr, Social Welfare, Special Education and Women Empowerment. The meeting was chaired by Adviser Malak Liaqat Ali Khan. The meeting reviewed matters relating to restructuring of the council, its budget for 2026-27, legal framework, welfare initiatives and future strategy. Participants stressed the need to introduce the bill or act governing the Provincial Council for Social Welfare in the provincial legislature at the earliest. They agreed that related legal matters should be completed on a priority basis to provide the council with an effective administrative and legal framework. The meeting discussed the proposed increase in grant-in-aid in view of the council’s administrative expenses, ongoing welfare projects and growing public needs. Mr Liaqat stressed the need for adequate financial resources to enable the council to effectively discharge its responsibilities. The participants also reviewed proposals concerning grants-in-aid for voluntary social welfare agencies and non-governmental organisations. They called for a transparent and systematic mechanism to support deserving organisations and ensure effective utilisation of public resources.
Mr Liaqat directed the relevant departments to formulate a future course of action through mutual consultation.
The meeting also discussed measures to improve the performance of social welfare institutions and expand access to services for vulnerable, deserving and special-needs groups. Participants stressed stronger coordination, information sharing and monitoring of ongoing projects.
The council also agreed to enhance cooperation between government departments and non-governmental organisations working in the social welfare sector to ensure better use of available resources and improved public services.
Secretary Social Welfare Sharif Hussain, Section Officer Home Department Abbas Salam, council member Umar Javed, Additional Secretary Revenue Muhammad Saleem, Deputy Secretary Finance Gulshan Ara, Additional Secretary Sahibzada Mukhtar and other officials attended the meeting.
