Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that direct subsidy will be given to the poorest families of the province through Punjab Khidmat Card Programme.
While presiding over a high level meeting on Friday, the chief minister said that the aim of this programme was to reduce economic burden on the resource-less families. Name and computerized identity card number of the person obtaining financial assistance will be written on the card, he added.
The meeting reviewed the pace of progress on Punjab Khidmat Card Programme. Provincial Minister for Education Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Food Minister Bilal Yasin, Advisor Dr Ijaz Nabi, MPA Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, chief secretary, secretaries of Food, Planning & Development and Information Departments, food director and other concerned officials attended the meeting.
Shahbaz said that Punjab Khidmat Card was another public welfare and revolutionary programme of the government under which Khidmat Cards would issued to the poorest families for their financial assistance while education and health facilities would also be provided through these cards under a phased programme.
The chief minister directed concerned authorities that planning should be made for running Punjab Khidmat Card Programme on the pattern of Educational Endowment Fund and final recommendations in this regard be submitted at the earliest. Various proposals regarding Punjab Khidmat Card Programme were also reviewed in the meeting.
Meanwhile, talking to assembly members from various districts, Shahbaz has said that PML-N government is pursuing a comprehensive public welfare programme under which national resources are being spent on the betterment of less-privileged segments of the society and solid steps are being taken for bringing the low income people into national mainstream.
He said that energy shortage has affected economic activities and caused huge loss to agriculture and industry. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif massive projects have been started for bringing the country out of darkness and their completion will not only revive economy but there will also be light in every house.
The chief minister enquired from the assembly members about the ongoing development schemes and problems of their respective areas.
The chief minister, appreciating the spirit of assembly members, said that public welfare and provision of basic facilities to the masses is the agenda of PML-N government. He said that funds of billions of rupees are being spent on the projects aimed at provision of facilities to the people. He said that national resources are being utilized on the welfare of poor segments of the society.
