The Punjab Social Welfare and Baitul Maal Department (SW&BM) will officially launch the ‘Himmat Card’ on September 19. This card provides financial aid to persons with disabilities (PWDs) deemed “unfit to work.”
Chief Minister Punjab, Maryam Nawaz, will chair the launch event. Provincial Minister for Social Welfare and Baitul Maal, Sohail Shaukat Butt called the initiative a groundbreaking step towards establishing a welfare state.
Butt highlighted the collaboration with the Bank of Punjab and the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) to ensure the program’s smooth rollout. The Himmat Card will benefit 65,000 registered PWDs by offering them an ATM card with a quarterly stipend of Rs10,500.
The implementation will occur in two phases: the initial phase will cover 40,000 individuals, and the second phase will cover an additional 25,000 individuals.
Butt also pointed out the government’s commitment to gender inclusion, with women comprising 30% of the beneficiaries.
He also mentioned plans to gradually increase the stipend and expand the program to cover all PWDs in Punjab.
The Himmat Card is designed for individuals whose disabilities render them completely dependent on their guardians, this new initiative targets those wholly reliant on care.
