Himmat Card to allow free metro travel

CM expands scope of financial aid scheme

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has launched the Himmat Card through which 65,000 deserving differently-abled people will be paid Rs10,500 after every three months.

She announced at the launching ceremony that the card would also serve as travel card for the differently-abled people.

The chief minister said the people with special needs would also be provided hearing aids, wheelchairs and artificial limbs.

The differently-abled people can travel free through the Himmat Card on the Orange Line and Metro Buses of Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi. The card's use for travel will be enabled from October 15.

The CM announced that the number of beneficiaries would be increased.

She distributed Himmat Cards among the differently-abled people under the Chief Minister Himmat Card Programme.

The chief minister monitored the activation process of the cards and inspected the registration desk.

CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif said in her address, "The Punjab government is giving Himmat Cards to such differently-abled persons who lack the strength to earn their livelihood by getting out of their houses.

The differently-abled people will no longer be a burden on the society and on their families after obtaining the Himmat Card."

The differently-abled people can enrol themselves in the programme by writing a letter to CM and the social welfare department.

The CM said the amount of Rs10500 for three months was not much but the recipients could get some facilities and financial assistance.

She said caring for the differently-abled people was a benchmark for the rulers and the society. "I will do whatever I can to mitigate the distress and difficulties of the differently-abled people.

I felt surprised over seeing the ability of differently-abled youth for making sketches."

The CM said the country progressed and grievances of the poor and needy were redressed during the rule of the PML-N.

She said that owing to criminal negligence of inefficient and inept rulers during the last five years, the inflation had risen to 38 per cent, but it had now come down to 6.9%. She said the price of bread had also declined from Rs25 to Rs14.

CM Maryam Nawaz said the price of bread in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa had increased to Rs25.

"Creating chaos and unrest every other day impedes the provision of services to the people. Those who make the life of people difficult are in fact a burden on our country.

They should spend the money on the welfare of the people of K-P instead of invading other provinces. If K-P is ours then Punjab also belongs to them," she said.

She said people from Khyber-Pakgtunkhwa were doing business in every city of Punjab. "Those invading Punjab are in fact attacking their own people," she added.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has ordered steps to stop illegal sale of land in the area falling under the Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA).

Chairing a review meeting on the completion of RUDA and other ongoing development projects, she called for launching a special police force to prevent encroachment in the area.

After a briefing by the RUDA chief executive officer, the chief minister directed the relevant authorities to coordinate with China and international organisations for the completion of RUDA projects. She also reviewed progress on the Twin Cities project and was apprised about increasing the forest area from 20 per cent to 35%.