The Punjab Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Mal Department has successfully initiated phase II of the Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif Himmat Card Program, aimed at providing financial assistance to differently-abled individuals.  The inauguration ceremony was attended by Provincial Minister for Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Mal Punjab, Sohail Shaukat Butt, as the chief guest and he personally interacted with differently-abled individuals. 

The event was attended by Director General Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Mal Punjab, Sikandar Zeeshan, Chief Digital Officer Bank of Punjab, Nofil Daud, officials from the Punjab IT Board, and other senior officers of the Social Welfare Department. During the ceremony, the minister distributed Himmat Cards among the beneficiaries. He highlighted that under the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the department successfully issued Himmat Cards to nearly 40,000 differently-abled individuals in the first phase. This initiative provided financial aid amounting to over PKR 410 million. 

The minister announced that in Phase II, an additional 25,000 differently-abled individuals would receive financial assistance of PKR 10,500 each. The disbursement will be carried out through biometric verification at designated Social Welfare Camp Sites.  He further emphasized that the government of Punjab is committed to utilizing all resources for the welfare and empowerment of differently-abled individuals.

“The Himmat Card Program is a significant step toward restoring economic independence and dignity for this deserving segment of society,” he added.  Director General Sikandar Zeeshan stated that a dedicated monitoring cell has been established at the department’s head office to oversee the distribution of Himmat Cards and the financial disbursement process.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)