The Punjab government has decided to include an additional 50,000 individuals in its ration card program as part of ongoing efforts to support low-income households across the province. The decision was made during a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, where social welfare initiatives and financial assistance for vulnerable communities were reviewed.
During the meeting, officials discussed various programs aimed at assisting people living below the poverty line. A briefing revealed that more than 1.6 million individuals have already benefited from schemes such as the ration card, Himmat Card, and Minority Card.
According to officials, in the current fiscal year alone, around 1.4 million people are expected to receive monthly financial assistance through the ration card program, while over 200,000 individuals will benefit through the Himmat Card initiative.
The inclusion of 50,000 more beneficiaries is seen as a step toward expanding the social safety net and ensuring that more deserving families receive essential support amid rising economic challenges.
In addition to expanding the ration card program, the Punjab government also made a principle decision to collect data and conduct mapping of beggars across the province. This initiative aims to better understand the scope of the issue and design targeted policies for rehabilitation and social support.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also directed authorities to establish proper orphanages for abandoned children and to seek assistance from credible non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for welfare services related to women and children. These services include maintenance and provision of assistive devices such as wheelchairs and other support equipment.
Furthermore, the meeting emphasized the need to involve the private sector in revamping “Sanatzar” institutions and to digitize the system for providing medicines through Zakat funds. These steps are intended to improve transparency, efficiency, and service delivery in welfare programs.
The chief minister reiterated that the government’s primary objective is the welfare and uplift of ordinary citizens. She expressed a vision to transform Punjab’s Social Welfare Department into a more public-friendly institution, modeled on systems in developed European countries.
She added that the government is committed to taking all necessary measures to rehabilitate marginalized and underprivileged segments of society.
