Rs370m aid program for differently-abled

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has launched a Financial Assistance Program worth Rs370 million to support differently abled individuals in the province.

Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur officially inaugurated the program during a ceremony at the Chief Minister's House on Wednesday. At the event, the chief minister distributed financial assistance cheques to beneficiaries.

The ceremony was attended by Provincial Minister for Social Welfare Syed Qasim Ali Shah, members of the provincial assembly, senior officials from the Social Welfare Department, and special persons.

Under the program, 37,000 differently abled individuals across the province will each receive Rs10,000 in financial assistance.

Speaking at the ceremony, the CM directed that the term "disabled" would no longer be used in official documents and would be replaced with "persons with special abilities."

He emphasized that these individuals possess unique and exceptional abilities and need opportunities to showcase their potential.

The chief minister further said that it is the responsibility of the state to support all vulnerable segments of society, including persons with different abilities.

He highlighted that welfare initiatives for vulnerable sections of society are a key part of the vision of the founding chairman PTI.

"During our tenure, no vulnerable group, including persons with special abilities, will remain without government support, the provincial government will take responsibility for the destitute and helpless people," he said, adding that his government is working under a comprehensive strategy to assist the vulnerable segments of society.

He also shared that data on persons with special abilities, widows, orphans, and other deserving individuals is being collected across the province. Similarly, in order to ensure sustainability, all welfare initiatives of the provincial government are being incorporated into the regular budget, said the Chief Minister.

He assured that there will be no shortage of financial resources for welfare initiatives and the support of vulnerable groups.

He announced a program to provide electric wheelchairs to persons with special abilities, adding that in the first phase, electric wheelchairs will be distributed to special government employees and students in higher education institutions, followed by the provision of wheelchairs to special students in schools in the second phase.

Ali Amin Khan Gandapur also mentioned that the incumbent provincial government has increased the amount provided under the dowry fund from Rs25,000 to Rs200,000 and has doubled the amount given under Zakat fund.