Karachi Commissioner Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui Tuesday reviewed projects initiated by the administration for provision of free technical training to the children and interest-free loans to widows of martyred servicemen.
Expressing, on behalf of entire country, gratitude to these families, the commissioner said the administration had decided that Karachi-based families of these non-commissioned servicemen would be extended all possible cooperation. Shoaib said equal attention would be paid towards disabled ex-servicemen in the metropolis and that artificial limbs for them were being arranged in accordance with their relevant needs.
The meeting among others was also attended by Secretary, District Armed Services Board, Captain (r) Mohammad Javaid Alam, Sindh Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (STEVTA) Director Dr Masroor Ahmad, Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Director Naveeda Ikram, BISP District Monitoring Coordinator Faisal Ansar, Director, Social Welfare Department, Nasir Qizalbash, Media Director Mohammad Shabih Siddiqui, FPCCI Advisor Mohammad Siddiq Shaikh, KCCI Chairman Junaid Makda, Deputy Secretary Health Dr Azhar Ali Shah and others.
The meeting decided that provincial health department would facilitate coordination between department institutions and organisation for establishment of a manufacturing plant for artificial limbs.
It was also agreed that widows of the martyred servicemen would be included in the survey of BISP and that their off-spring above 18 would be assisted to procure jobs in accordance to their capabilities and qualifications.
To facilitate the procedure these children were decided to be helped to get enrolled with STEVTA run technical schools so as to be groomed as skilled and qualified professionals.
Representatives of business community, including those of FPCCI and KCCI on the occasion, assured to extend all support to the city administration and Syed Qaiser Ali of Akhuwat group also offered to arrange sewing machines and other gadgets that could help gain economic empowerment of the widows.
