Assistive devices scheme launched

LAHORE:

The Punjab government has launched a project to provide assistive devices to differently-abled persons in the province. The submission of applications under the project has begun.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif stated that wheelchairs would be provided free of charge to people with special needs to facilitate their movement. She said hearing aids would also be provided to the people needing them. Applications for the assistive devices can be submitted through an online portal.

The computerised national identity card (CNIC) of the differently-abled applicant, a form and a certificate issued by the District Disability Assessment Board concerned will be required to receive the assistive equipment.

The chief minister said the potential applicants could also call the helpline 1312 for seeking information. Guidelines and information can also be obtained from the district social welfare offices.

Chief Minister Nawaz said the differently-abled persons were valuable citizens. "We will definitely fulfill our promise of rehabilitation and improvement of special persons," she added.

She underscored, "Pakistan's first public sector autism centre will be completed soon. The purpose of issuing Himmat Card is to lead special persons towards economic self-reliance."

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed the authorities concerned to ensure the restoration of small businesses impacted by anti-encroachment actions. The decision is aimed at the rehabilitation of unemployed people affected by the removal of encroachments.

She directed the stakeholders to consider measures for the rehabilitation of the small businesses and vendors.

The chief minister said," The removal of encroachments is essential for smooth traffic flow. The Punjab government's anti-encroachment drive is not intended to leave the common man unemployed, and no one's livelihood should be taken away under any circumstance."

She added, "It is imperative to make alternative arrangements for those who have become jobless."

"Alternative spaces will be provided for those affected by the anti-encroachment drive in every city, and arrangements for providing employment to the affected people are being reviewed," she said.

She added," Unregulated encroachments in every city have made it difficult to pass through the markets with ease." She said PML-N President Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has called for immediate relief measures for all those affected by the anti- encroachment campaigns.

In another development, Pakistan Muslim League-N President Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz met members of the Punjab Assembly from Lahore division. Matters pertaining to public welfare projects and future political strategies were discussed in the meeting.

According to an official statement, the participants praised the public welfare projects initiated in Punjab.

Former prime minister Nawaz Shari expressed hope that Pakistan would "take off" once again. He said happiness and satisfaction were visible among the people in Lahore and other parts of Punjab after a long time.

He said the journey to serve the people would continue unabated.

He said the country had been put on the path of progress and prosperity at a swift pace after being saved from being derailed.

The PML-N president said that if Pakistan had not been derailed and the journey of the 1990s had continued, it would have been much ahead in terms of development and progress.