Punjab Minister for Finance, Dr. Ayesha Ghaus Pasha has said that provincial government has introduced a number of social protection projects worth billions of rupees in different departments of the province which include Daanish School, Education Endowment Fund, Zawar-e-Taleem Programme, Health Insurance, Khidmat Cards, Interest-free loans, transfer of assets and skills development programmes.
LAHORE, (Pakistan Point News - 26th Jan, 2018) : Punjab Minister for Finance, Dr. Ayesha Ghaus Pasha has said that provincial government has introduced a number of social protection projects worth billions of rupees in different departments of the province which include Daanish School, Education Endowment Fund, Zawar-e-Taleem Programme, Health Insurance, Khidmat Cards, Interest-free loans, transfer of assets and skills development programmes. She said that Benazir Income Scale and NADRA database have been used to ensure transparency and merit in these projects so as to make assess of needy and deserving people to these welfare oriented initiatives of the provincial government.
The Provincial Finance Minister expressed these views during a discussion “Social Protection Nets in Punjab” arranged by Civil Services academy, here on Friday. Chairperson AKuwat Foundation Dr. Amjad Saqib, CEO Punjab Social Protection Authority Dr. Sohail Anwar, Managing Director Daanish school Amir Hafeez, Director Punjab Economic Research Institute Dr. Mumtaz, Secretary Population Dr. Ambareen, Secretary Women Development Department Bushra Aman along with others attended the session.
Dr. Ayesha Ghaus Pasha said that disability, unemployment and ignorance are the main causes of poverty and a comprehensive development planning is necessary for elimination of these causes of poverty. Annual Development Programme 2014 of Punjab government covered all these problems and their solutions which provide guarantee for overall progress and elimination of poverty. She said that issuance of Khidmat Cards, transfer of assets, free loans for disabled persons and other such programmes will help out to decrease the causes of inequality in society.
Provincial Minister informed the panel members that establishment of PSPA under supervision of Dr. Sohail Anwar is an effort to renew and implement the policies of social protection throughout the province. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Amjad Saqib said that Akhuwat has been providing Qarz-e-Hasna to the needy people enabling them to get education, medical treatment and earn their living. He further said that Akhuwat started its work with just Rs.
1000 and now its providing interest-free loans to more than 23 thousand families with an amount of Rs.53 billion in collaboration with Punjab government. He appreciated the efforts of PSPA and Punjab government as Healthcare Commission and supervision of public and private sector schools is a great achievement of Punjab government as more than 37 thousand children has been enrolled in these 300 schools. Dr. Sohail Anwar while explaining the concept of social protection difference between welfare and non-welfare state, said that Punjab government is promoting the province as a welfare state and all the people present on the stage are the stakeholders of this state.
Dr. Mmtaz, Amir Hafeez, Bushra Aman and Dr. Ambareen highlighted the performance of the department regarding social safety nets and answered the questions of panel members in detail. The Panel members also lauded the programmes of Punjab government regarding social protection and expressed upon the need for their effective publicity. Director General Civil Serv
